Modular wireless communicator

ABSTRACT

A wireless communicator including a housing, wireless communication functionality located within the housing, native user interface functionality cooperating with the wireless communication functionality and including user interface surfaces located on at least one outer facing surface of the housing, and pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for automatically causing the wireless communication functionality to adapt to interoperation with parenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhanced function device at least partially instead of with the native user interface functionality. A method is also described and claimed.

PRIORITY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the following U.S. patentapplications, commonly owned by assignee:

U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/901,353, entitled CELLULAR MODEM ONSD CARD, filed on Feb. 13, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman, Adar Azancotand Lior Storfer;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/901,368, entitled INTERFACE FOREXTENDING FUNCTIONALITY OF MEMORY CARDS, filed on Feb. 13, 2007 byinventor Itay Sherman;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/918,943, entitled COMPACT KEY PAD,filed on Mar. 20, 2007 by inventors Adar Azancot, Yaron Segalov, EranMiller and Itay Sherman;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/918,966, entitled REDUCING POWERDISSIPATION FOR SOLID STATE DISKS, filed on Mar. 20, 2007 by inventorItay Sherman;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/918,967, entitled DEVICEREGISTRATION OVER A COMPUTER NETWORK, filed on Mar. 20, 2007 by inventorItay Sherman;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/918,968, entitled INTEGRATEDCOMMUNICATION AND STORAGE SUB-SYSTEM FOR EMBEDDED SYSTEMS, filed on Mar.20, 2007 by inventor Itay Sherman;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/919,112 entitled PEER-TO-PEER FILESHARING USING SHORT RANGE RF, filed on Mar. 20, 2007 by inventors YaronSegalov and Eyal Bychkov;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/919,243, entitled INTEGRATEDCELLULAR PHONE AND CORDLESS PHONE, filed on Mar. 21, 2007 by inventorsEyal Bychkov, Itay Sherman, Adar Azancot and Hagay Katz;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/920,037, entitled SYNCHRONIZED MEDIAPLAYERS WITHIN A SINGLE HOUSING, filed on Mar. 26, 2007 by inventor ItaySherman;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/933,780, entitled ADAPTIVE USERINTERFACE FOR A MULTI-SOURCE SYSTEM, filed on Jun. 8, 2007 by inventorsItay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov and Yaron Segalov;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/933,792, entitled SD SWITCH BOX IN ACELLULAR HANDSET, filed on Jun. 8, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman, EyalBychkov and Yaron Segalov;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/933,793, entitled COMMUNICATION CARDWITH THREE OPERATIONAL STATES, filed on Jun. 8, 2007 by inventors ItaySherman, Itay Cohen and Yaron Segalov;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/964,233, entitled CALL SHUFFLING,filed on Aug. 9, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, HagitPerry and Uri Ron;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/964,872, entitled COUNTER-TACTILEKEYPAD, filed on Aug. 14, 2007 by inventors Eyal Bychkov and Hagay Katz;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/995,575, entitled AUTOMATED CONSUMERELECTRONICS DEVICE REPORTING, filed on Sep. 26, 2007, by inventors ItaySherman, Eyal Bychkov, Uri. Ron, Hagay Katz and Hagit Perry;U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/009,523, entitled MULTI-TAPPINGNUMPAD, filed on Dec. 28, 2007 by inventor Uri Ron;U.S. Provisional Application No. [not yet assigned], entitled MODULARWIRELESS COMMUNICATOR, filed on Jan. 23, 2008 by inventors Itay Sherman,Eyal Bychkov, Itay Cohen, Tamir Demri, Hagay Katz, Eran Miller, HagitPerry, Uri Ron and Yaron Segalov;U.S. Provisional Application No. [not yet assigned], entitled MODULARWIRELESS COMMUNICATOR, filed on Feb. 5, 2008 by inventors Dov Moran,Itay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, Itay Cohen, Yaron Segalov, Tamir Demri, EranMiller, Uri Ron, Hagay Katz and Hagit Perry;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/725,691, entitled INTERFACE FOR EXTENDINGFUNCTIONALITY OF MEMORY CARDS, filed on Mar. 20, 2007 by inventors ItaySherman and Yaron Segalov;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/827,525, entitled SD SWITCH BOX IN ACELLULAR HANDSET, filed on Jul. 11, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman, EyalBychkov and Yaron Segalov;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/827,604, entitled COMMUNICATION CARD WITHTHREE OPERATIONAL STATES, filed on Jul. 11, 2007 by inventors ItaySherman, Itay Cohen and Yaron Segalov;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/827,701, entitled SMALL REMOVABLE AUDIOPLAYER THAT ATTACHES TO A HOST MEDIA PLAYER, filed on Jul. 13, 2007 byinventor Itay Sherman;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/891,777, entitled ADJUSTABLE CUT-OFFVOLTAGE FOR MOBILE DEVICE BATTERY, filed on Aug. 13, 2007 by inventorsItay Sherman, Eyal Bychkov, Eran Miller and Uri Ron;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/893,837, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORREMOTE DIAGNOSTICS, filed on Aug. 16, 2007 by inventors Hagay Katz, EyalBychkov and Itay Sherman;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/893,958, entitled COMMUNICATION LAYERSWITCHING DEVICE, filed on Aug. 16, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman, EyalBychkov and Uri Ron;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/975,489, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORPREDICTING TEXT, filed on Oct. 19, 2007 by inventors Hagit Perry and UriRon;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/983,444, entitled UNSUCCESSFUL CALL ALERT,filed on Nov. 9, 2007 by inventors Eyal Bychkov and Uri Ron;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/986,600, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FORPREDICTING TEXT, filed on Nov. 21, 2007 by inventors Hagit Perry and UriRon;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/986,242, entitled MULTIMEDIA ENHANCEMENTCHANNEL, filed on Nov. 19, 2007 by inventors Itay Sherman and EyalBychkov;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/975,854, entitled REDUCING POWERDISSIPATION FOR SOLID STATE DISKS, filed on Oct. 22, 2007 by inventorItay Sherman;U.S. application Ser. No. 11/986,637, entitled UNIQUELY IDENTIFIABLEKEYS FOR ELECTRONIC KEYBOARDS, filed on Nov. 23, 2007 by inventors UriRon, Eyal Bychkov and Itay Sherman;U.S. application Ser. No. 12/008,582, entitled AUDIO AND USBMULTIPLEXING, filed on Jan. 11, 2008 by inventors Itay Sherman and EranMiller;U.S. application Ser. No. 12/008,499, entitled BI-DIRECTIONAL BATTERYCHARGING FOR COUPLED ELECTRONIC DEVICES, filed on Jan. 11, 2008 byinventors Itay Sherman and Tamir Demri;U.S. application Ser. No. 12/008,501, entitled BRIDGE DESIGN FOR SD ANDMMC DATA BUSES, filed on Jan. 11, 2008 by inventor Itay Sherman;U.S. application Ser. No. 12/008,582, entitled AUDIO AND USBMULTIPLEXING, filed on Jan. 11, 2008 by inventors Itay Sherman and EranMiller; andU.S. Application No. [not yet assigned], entitled CONTENT DELIVERYDURING CALL IDLE TIME, filed on Jan. 16, 2008 by inventors Eyal Bychkovand Uri Ron.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is wireless communication.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a modular wirelesscommunicator that may be coupled with an enhanced function device in amanner referred to herein as pouching. Pouching is defined herein tomean inserting the wireless communicator device inside of the enhancedfunction device so that the wireless communicator is at least partiallyobscured by the enhanced function device, and such that the enhancedfunction device mechanically supports the wireless communicator.

There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention a wireless communicator including a housing, wirelesscommunication functionality located within the housing, native userinterface functionality cooperating with the wireless communicationfunctionality and including user interface surfaces located on at leastone outer facing surface of the housing, and pouching responsiveelectrical interconnection functionality responsive to pouchingorientation of the housing in a pouch of an enhanced function device forcausing the wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperatingwith parenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhancedfunction device at least partially instead of with the native userinterface functionality.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communication functionality includes a phone call dialingfunctionality.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communication functionality includes a network accessfunctionality.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionalityautomatically causes the wireless communication functionality to adaptto cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality when thehousing is oriented in the pouch of the enhanced function device.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thepouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality causes thewireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating with theparenting user interface functionality, when manually prompted to do soand when the housing is oriented in the pouch of the enhanced functiondevice.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionalityincludes alien rejection functionality operative to prevent cooperationof the wireless communication functionality with user interfacefunctionality of an alien enhanced function device notwithstandingexistence of pouching orientation of the housing in a pouch of the alienenhanced function device.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention theadaptation to interoperation includes transmission from the enhancedfunction device to the wireless communicator of information relating toparenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhancedfunction device, and configuration of the wireless communicationfunctionality to be controlled by the parenting user interfacefunctionality forming part of the enhanced function device at leastpartially instead of by the native user interface functionality.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality causesthe wireless communicator to transmit user interface data from thewireless communicator to the enhanced function device in conformancewith the information relating to parenting user interface functionality.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thepouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality expands thefunctionality of the wireless communicator, in addition to causing thewireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating with theparenting user interface functionality.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe enhanced function device expands the functionality of the wirelesscommunicator by enabling access to functionality of the wirelesscommunicator that is inaccessible when the wireless communicator is notpouched with the enhanced function device.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention theenhanced function device provisions software to the wirelesscommunicator when the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhancedfunction device.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe enhanced function device includes a subscriber identifier, whichenables wireless network connectivity that is inaccessible to thewireless communicator when the wireless communicator is not pouched withthe enhanced function device.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thesubscriber identifier is a SIM card.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe housing includes an at least partially transparent portion in anouter facing surface, the wireless communicator further includes atleast one light source fastened inside of the housing, the light sourceindicates when the wireless communicator is sufficiently pouched withthe enhanced function device so as to activate the pouching responsiveelectrical interconnection functionality, and the light of the at leastone light source shines through the at least partially transparentportion of the housing.

Moreover in according to an embodiment of the present invention saidportion is a hole in the housing.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thelight source is an LED light.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe light source indicates a state of the wireless communicator.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thelight source indicates a battery status of the wireless communicator.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe light source indicates a reception strength of the wirelesscommunicator.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thelight source indicates an operational mode of the wireless communicationfunctionality.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe light source indicates when the wireless communication functionalityis in audio conversation operational mode.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thelight source indicates when the wireless communication functionality isin video operational conversation mode.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe light source indicates when a new message has been received.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thelight source indicates when a new message has been sent.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionsaid message is a text message.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention saidmessage is a multimedia message.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionsaid message is an email message.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thelight source indicates when the wireless communicator has an incomingphone call.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thelight source indicates a status of the enhanced function device when thewireless communicator is pouched therewith.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe light source indicates an operational mode of the enhanced functiondevice when the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thehousing includes an at least partially transparent portion in an outerfacing surface, the wireless communication functionality includes anantenna fastened inside of the housing, for receiving and transmittingradio signals, the antenna includes an antenna hole in an outer facingsurface, the antenna hole is aligned with the at least partiallytransparent portion of the housing, the wireless communicator furtherincludes a light source fastened inside of the housing, the light sourceindicates when the wireless communicator is sufficiently pouched withthe enhanced function device so as to activate the pouching responsiveelectrical interconnection functionality, and the light of the lightsource shines through the antenna hole and through the at leastpartially transparent portion in the housing.

Yet further n accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thenative user interface functionality includes at least one of a keyboard,a display, a microphone, an earpiece, a headset port, a speaker and avibrator.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thepouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality responsiveto pouching orientation of the housing in the pouch of the enhancedfunction device, restricts the wireless communication functionality fromusing at least a portion of the native user interface functionality.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communication functionality includes a phone call dialingfunctionality, and the pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing in thepouch of the enhanced function device restricts the dialingfunctionality.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communication functionality includes a network accessfunctionality, and the pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing in saidpouch of the enhanced function device restricts the network accessfunctionality.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention an enhanced function device for use with a wirelesscommunicator including a housing, wireless communication functionalitylocated within the housing and native user interface functionalitycooperating with the wireless zo communication functionality, theenhanced function device including a pouch, parenting user interfacefunctionality, and pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing of thewireless communicator in the pouch for causing the wirelesscommunication functionality to adapt to cooperating with the parentinguser interface functionality at least partially instead of with thenative user interface functionality.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thepouching responsive electrical interconnection functionalityautomatically causes the wireless communication functionality to adaptto cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality when thehousing is oriented in the pouch of the enhanced function device.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality causesthe wireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating withthe parenting user interface functionality, when manually prompted to doso and when the housing is oriented in the pouch of the enhancedfunction device.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thepouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality includesalien rejection functionality operative to prevent cooperation of analien wireless communicator with the parenting user interfacefunctionality of the enhanced function device notwithstanding existenceof pouching orientation of the alien wireless communicator in the pouchof the enhanced function device.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe enhanced function device is able to operate when the wirelesscommunicator is not pouched therewith.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention theenhanced function device is not able to operate unless the wirelesscommunicator is pouched therewith.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe enhanced function device includes a non-volatile storage positionedwithin the housing, for storing information relating to parenting userinterface functionality, Sand a controller positioned within the housingfor transmitting from the enhanced function device to the wirelesscommunicator the information relating to parenting user interfacefunctionality, when the wireless communicator is pouched with theenhanced function device.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention theparenting user interface functionality includes at least one of akeyboard, a display, a microphone, a speaker, a headset port and anearpiece.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a wireless communication system including a wirelesscommunicator, including a housing, wireless communication functionalitylocated within the housing, native user interface functionalitycooperating with the wireless communication functionality and includinguser interface surfaces located on at least one outer facing surface ofthe housing, and pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing in apouch of an enhanced function device for automatically causing thewireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating withparenting user interface functionality forming part of the enhancedfunction device at least partially instead of with the native userinterface functionality, and an enhanced function device, including apouch, parenting user interface functionality, and pouching responsiveelectrical interconnection functionality responsive to pouchingorientation of the housing of the wireless communicator in the pouch forautomatically causing the wireless communication functionality to adaptto cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality at leastpartially instead of with the native user interface functionality.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communication functionality includes a phone call dialingfunctionality.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communication functionality includes a network accessfunctionality.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thesystem includes alien rejection functionality operative to preventcooperation between mutually alien wireless communication functionalityand enhanced user interface functionality of a wireless communicator andan enhanced function device which are mutually alien notwithstandingexistence of pouching orientation of said housing in a pouch of saidenhanced function device.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communication system includes connector circuitryconnecting the wireless communicator with the enhanced function devicewhen the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced functiondevice, wherein the connector circuitry enables the wirelesscommunicator to detect whether or not the wireless communicator ispouched with the enhanced function device.

Alternatively in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communication system includes connector circuitryconnecting the wireless communicator with the enhanced function devicewhen the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced functiondevice, wherein the connector circuitry enables the wirelesscommunicator to determine whether the enhanced function device is ableto operate when the wireless communicator is not pouched therewith, orelse is unable to operate unless the wireless communicator is pouchedtherewith.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communicator functions as a master when pouched with theenhanced function device if the wireless communicator determines thatthe enhanced function device is unable to operate unless the wirelesscommunicator is pouched therewith.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communicator functions as a slave when pouched with theenhanced function device if the wireless communicator determines thatthe enhanced function device is able to operate when the wirelesscommunicator is not pouched therewith.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communication system includes connector circuitryconnecting the wireless communicator with the enhanced function devicewhen the wireless communicator is pouched with the enhanced functiondevice, where the connector circuitry enables the enhanced functiondevice to power the wireless communicator on and off when the enhancedfunction device is respectively powered on and off.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communicator and the enhanced function device each includes arechargeable battery, the wireless communicator system includingconnector circuitry connecting the wireless communicator with theenhanced function device when the wireless communicator is pouched withthe enhanced function device, wherein the connector circuitry enableseach of the rechargeable batteries to supply power to both the wirelesscommunicator and the enhanced function device.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communicator and the enhanced function device each includesa rechargeable battery, the wireless communicator system includingconnector circuitry connecting the wireless communicator with theenhanced function device when the wireless communicator is pouched withthe enhanced function device, wherein the connector circuitry enableseach of the rechargeable batteries to charge the other rechargeablebattery.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communicator includes a mailbox for receiving data from theenhanced function device and for transmitting data to the enhancedfunction device, when the wireless communicator is pouched with theenhanced function device.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communicator pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality is operative to wirelessly transmit a report about theenhanced function device to a remote recipient Moreover in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention the enhanced function deviceis an electronic appliance.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe report is an appliance registration report.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thereport is an appliance diagnostic report.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe enhanced function device includes a media playing module for playingdigital media files, and a storage unit for storing digital media files,and wherein the parenting user interface functionality includesfunctionality for navigating and playing digital media files stored inthe storage unit, and wherein the wireless communicator further includesa storage unit for storing digital media files, and a controller forstoring incoming media files in the storage unit and for selectivelycopying media files from the storage unit to the enhanced functiondevice storage unit when the wireless communicator is pouched in theenhanced function device.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communicator includes an audio playing module for playingdigital audio files, and the enhanced function device includes acontroller for selectively copying media files from the enhancedfunction device storage unit to the wireless communicator storage unitwhen the wireless communicator is pouched in the enhanced functiondevice.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe parenting user interface functionality includes functionality fornavigating and playing digital media files stored in the wirelesscommunicator storage unit.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for a pouchable wireless communicator, thewireless communicator having a native user interface, including inresponse to orienting the wireless communicator in a pouch of anenhanced function device, adapting the wireless communicator to conformwith a parent user interface forming part of the enhanced functiondevice at least partially instead of with the native user interface.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes preventing the wireless communicator from adaptingto conform with an alien enhanced function device, notwithstanding thewireless communicator being oriented in a pouched of the alien enhancedfunction device.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention themethod includes mutually transmitting from the enhanced function deviceto the wireless communicator information relating to the parent userinterface of the enhanced function device, and configuring the wirelesscommunicator to conform with the parent user interface forming part ofthe enhanced function device at least partially instead of with thenative user interface.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes transmitting user interface data from the wirelesscommunicator to the enhanced function device in conformance with theinformation relating to the parent user interface.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thenative user interface functionality includes at least one of a keyboard,a display, a microphone, an earpiece, a headset port, a speaker and avibrator.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionadapting the wireless communicator to conform with a parent userinterface includes restricting the wireless communicator from using atleast a portion of its native user interface.

There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for using a wireless communicator, thewireless communicator having a native user interface, including inresponse to orienting the wireless communicator in a pouch of anenhanced function device, causing the wireless communicator to adapt toconform with a parent user interface of the enhanced function device atleast partially instead of with the native user interface.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe enhanced function device is able to operate when the wirelesscommunicator is not pouched therewith.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention theenhanced function device is not able to operate unless the wirelesscommunicator is pouched therewith.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe parenting user interface functionality includes at least one of akeyboard, a display, a microphone, a speaker, a headset port and anearpiece.

There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for wireless communication including inresponse to orienting a wireless communicator having a native userinterface in a pouch of an enhanced function device, adapting thewireless communicator to conform with a parent user interface formingpart of the enhanced function device at least partially instead of withthe native user interface, and in response to orienting the wirelesscommunicator in the pouch of the enhanced function device, causing thewireless communicator to adapt to conform with the parent user interfaceof the enhanced function device at least partially instead of with thenative user interface.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes detecting whether or not the wireless communicatoris pouched with the enhanced function device.

Alternatively in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes determining whether the enhanced function device isable to operate when the wireless communicator is not pouched therewith,or else is unable to operate unless the wireless communicator is pouchedtherewith.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes controlling the wireless communicator to function asa master when pouched with the enhanced function device if thedetermining determines that the enhanced function device is unable tooperate unless the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention themethod includes controlling the wireless communicator to function as aslave when pouched with the enhanced function device if the determiningdetermines that the enhanced function device is able to operate when thewireless communicator is not pouched therewith.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes powering the wireless communicator on and off, bythe enhanced function device, when the enhanced function device isrespectively powered on and off.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention themethod includes supplying power to both the wireless communicator andthe enhanced function device by a rechargeable battery in the wirelesscommunicator.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes supplying power to both the wireless communicatorand the enhanced function device by a rechargeable battery in theenhanced function device.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention themethod includes charging a rechargeable battery in the wirelesscommunicator by a rechargeable battery in the enhanced function device.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe method includes charging a rechargeable battery in the enhancedfunction device by a rechargeable battery in the wireless communicator.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention themethod includes wirelessly transmitting, by the wireless communicator, areport about the enhanced function device to a remote recipient.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe enhanced function device is an electronic appliance.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thereport is an appliance registration report.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe report is an appliance diagnostic report.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communicator and the enhanced function device each have storageunits, and the parent user interface includes an interface fornavigating and playing digital media files stored in the enhancedfunction device storage unit, the method including storing, by thewireless communicator, incoming media files in the wireless communicatorstorage unit, and selectively copying media files from the wirelesscommunicator storage unit to the enhanced function device storage unitwhen the wireless communicator is pouched in the enhanced functiondevice.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe native user interface includes an interface for playing digitalaudio files stored in the wireless communicator storage unit, zo themethod including selectively copying, by the enhanced function device,media files from the enhanced function device storage unit to thewireless communicator storage unit when the wireless communicator ispouched in the enhanced function device.

There is moreover provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a wireless communication system including a pluralityof wireless communicators, each wireless communicator including ahousing, wireless communication functionality located within thehousing, native user interface functionality cooperating with thewireless communication functionality and including user interfacesurfaces located on at least one outer facing surface of the housing,and pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionalityresponsive to pouching orientation of the housing in a pouch of anenhanced function device for automatically causing the wirelesscommunication functionality to adapt to interoperation with parentinguser interface functionality forming part of the enhanced functiondevice at least partially instead of with the native user interfacefunctionality, and a plurality of distinguishable enhanced functiondevices, each enhanced function device including a pouch, parenting userinterface functionality, and pouching responsive electricalinterconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of thehousing of the wireless communicator in the pouch for automaticallycausing the wireless communication functionality to adapt tointeroperation with the parenting user interface functionality at leastpartially instead of with the native user interface functionality,wherein the plurality of wireless communicator pouching responsiveelectrical interconnection functionalities and the plurality of enhancedfunction device pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionalities enable each wireless communicator to identify which ofthe plurality of distinguishable enhanced function devices it is pouchedin.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe wireless communication functionality wirelessly transmits to aremote recipient a report about an enhanced function device, when thewireless communicator identifies the enhanced function device as beingpouched therewith.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention theplurality of wireless communicators includes GSM wireless communicatorsand CDMA wireless communicators.

There is yet further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention a method for wireless communication including inresponse to orienting each of a plurality of wireless communicatorshaving native user interfaces in a pouch of one of a plurality ofdistinguishable enhanced function devices adapting the wirelesscommunicator to conform with a parent user interface forming part of theone enhanced function device at least partially instead of with thenative user interface, and identifying which one of the plurality ofdistinguishable enhanced function devices the wireless communicator ispouched in, and in response to orienting each of the plurality ofwireless communicators in the pouch of one of the plurality of enhancedfunction devices, causing the wireless communicator to adapt to conformwith the parent user interface of the one enhanced function device atleast partially instead of with the native user interface.

Moreover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention themethod includes wirelessly transmitting to a remote recipient, by thewireless communicator, a report about an enhanced function device, whenthe wireless communicator identifies the enhanced function device asbeing pouched therewith.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe plurality of wireless communicators includes GSM wirelesscommunicators and CDMA wireless communicators.

There is further provided in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention an enhanced function device for use with a pluralityof wireless communicators, each wireless communicator including ahousing, wireless communication functionality located within thehousing, and native user interface functionality cooperating with thewireless communication functionality, the enhanced function deviceincluding parenting user interface functionality, a plurality ofpouches, and pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality responsive to pouching orientation of the housing of anyspecific one of the plurality of wireless communicator in acorresponding one of the plurality of pouches, for causing the wirelesscommunication functionality of the specific wireless communicator toadapt to cooperating with the parenting user interface functionality atleast partially instead of with the specific wireless communicatornative user interface functionality.

Yet further in accordance with an embodiment of the present inventionthe pouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality causesthe wireless communication functionality of at least two wirelesscommunicators to simultaneously adapt to cooperating with the parentinguser interface functionality at least partially instead of with therespective native user interface functionalities of the at least twowireless communicators, in response to pouching orientation of thehousings of the at least two wireless communicators in corresponding atleast two pouches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated fromthe following detailed description, taken in conjunction with thedrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a multifunctional multi-parent,pouchable communication system constructed and operative in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a simplified illustrations of various stages of pouching of awireless communicator with a first enhanced function device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a simplified illustrations of various stages of pouching of awireless communicator with a second enhanced function device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are pictorial illustrations of an embodiment of awireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are pictorial illustrations of an embodiment of anenhanced function device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a pictorial illustration of an embodiment of an internalantenna of the wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram illustration of the wirelesscommunicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a simplified block diagram illustration of a first enhancedfunction device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B is a simplified block diagram illustration of a second enhancedfunction device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8A is a simplified flow chart illustration of operation of thewireless communicator when pouched within the enhanced function devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a simplified diagram of logic for alien rejection for awireless communicator and an enhanced function device in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified block diagram of a pouching interface between thewireless communicator and the enhanced function device in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator withthree operational states in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a simplified flowchart of a method for the wirelesscommunicator to detect the type of enhanced function device it ispouched with in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12, which is a simplified diagram of an SD card interface thatprovides extended functionality in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a simplified illustration of an arrangement of clusters in anSD card file system in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 is a simplified flowchart of a method for downloading a filefrom a remote server to the wireless communicator in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A-15D are snapshots of a user interface and a file system for asimple example use case, during various stages of file download duringoperation of the method of FIG. 14 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 16 is a simplified flowchart of a method for playing a streamedfile from an SD card in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a simplified flowchart of a method for playing a streamedfile from the wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 18 is an illustration of file streaming using a circular clustercycle in the FAT in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 19, which is a simplified flowchart of a method for uploading afile from the wireless communicator to a remote server in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 20A and 20B, which are snapshots of a user interface and a filesystem for a simple example use case, during various stages of fileupload during operation of the method of FIG. 19 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 21A and 21B, are displays of configuration screens for theenhanced function device and the wireless communicator, pouchedtogether, controlled so as to have the same look & feel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 22A and 22B, are displays of different configuration screens forthe enhanced function device and the wireless communicator, pouchedtogether, controlled so as to have the same look & feel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B, are displays of yet different configuration screensfor the enhanced function device and the wireless communicator, pouchedtogether, controlled so as to have the same look & feel, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a simplified block diagram of a system with a uniforminterface for configuring the wireless communicator and the enhancedfunction device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 25A is a simplified flowchart of a first embodiment of a method forcontrolling a configuration interface for the wireless communicator soas to conform to the look & feel of the parent user interface; inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25B, which is a simplified flowchart of a second embodiment of amethod for controlling a configuration interface for the wirelesscommunicator so as to conform to the look & feel of the parent userinterface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25C is a simplified flowchart of a third embodiment of a method forcontrolling a configuration interface for the wireless communicator soas to conform to the look & feel of the parent user interface inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is an illustration of button keys that have different keyassignments for parent mode and native mode, but a common look & feeluser interface for setting wireless communicator and enhanced functiondevice configuration parameters in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 27A and 27B are illustrations of handset body dressed up injackets with two different parent user interface packages in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a simplified diagram of a circuit that providesbi-directional power control, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 29, which is a simplified block diagram of bi-directional batterycharging for a simple enhanced function device in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a summary of bi-directional battery charging logic for thehardware of FIG. 29 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 is a simplified block diagram of bi-directional battery chargingfor a complex enhanced function device in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a summary of bi-directional battery charging logic for thehardware of FIG. 31 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 33A and 33B are simplified diagrams of a switching circuit thatdistinguishes between twelve audio/USB configurations of in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a simplified diagram of an electrical circuit that determinesbus direction in bi-directional SD and MMC signal lines in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a simplified flowchart of a method for determining busdirection in bi-directional SD and MMC signal lines in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a sample simulation for A and B signals 110010101110111 and0010111, respectively in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 37 is a simplified diagram of an electrical circuit that determinesbus direction in multiplexed directional SD and MMC signal lines inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary GSM communicationnetwork, within which the wireless communicator transmits informationabout a consumer electronic (CE) device to remote sites in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) communication network, within which the wirelesscommunicator transmits information about a consumer electronic (CE)device to remote sites in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 40 is a simplified illustration of an exemplary IEEE 802.11b WiFicommunication network, within which the wireless communicator transmitsinformation about a consumer electronic (CE) device to remote sites inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a simplified flowchart of a method for automated consumerelectronic device reporting, using the wireless communicator inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a simplified illustration of a communications network withthe wireless communicator that wirelessly transmits registrationinformation about an appliance to one or both of a remote manufacturerand a remote seller in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 43 is a simplified illustration of a communications network withthe wireless communicator that wirelessly transmits diagnosticinformation about an appliance to one or more of a remote seller, aremote manufacturer and a remote service provider in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a simplified flowchart of a method for registering electricalappliances using the wireless communicator in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a simplified flowchart of a method for reporting diagnosticsfor electrical appliances using the wireless communicator in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 46 is a simplified flow chart of a method for provisioning softwareand firmware updates to a plurality of jackets and appliances using thewireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 47 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator witha pouching controller in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 48 is a simplified flowchart of a method for booting the wirelesscommunicator's baseband modem, and for performing subsequent operationsin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 49 is a simplified flowchart of a method for communicating betweenthe enhanced function host device and the wireless communicator'sbaseband modem, and accessing the SD storage, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 50A/1 and 50A/2 together are a simplified diagram illustrating aprocess of enabling a baseband modem to access SD storage, where apouching controller coordinates between the baseband modem and enhancedfunction host device in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 50B is a simplified diagram illustrating a process of enabling abaseband modem to access SD storage, where a pouching controllercoordinates between the baseband modem and enhanced function host devicein accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 51 is a simplified flowchart of a method for a sleep mode inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 52 is a simplified flowchart of a method for resuming operationafter a sleep mode, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 53 is a simplified block diagram of a cellular handset, inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 54 is a simplified block diagram of a power management system, forpreserving life of the battery in the wireless communicator inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a simplified flowchart of a method for preserving life of abattery in the wireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 56 is a simplified state transition diagram for power modes of thewireless communicator in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 57A and 57B are illustrations of the wireless communicator pouchedwith a USB jacket in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 58 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator and aUSB jacket in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 59 is a simplified block diagram of the wireless communicator and aUSB jacket, in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 60A and 60B are simplified block diagrams of a modular audioplayer pouched with a digital media player in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 61 is a simplified flowchart of a method for synchronizing mediafiles between the host media player and the modular audio player, whenthe media files are received by the modular player in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 62 is a simplified flowchart of a method for synchronizing mediafiles between the host media player and the modular audio player, whenthe media files are received by the host player in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 63 is a simplified flowchart of operations carried out when themodular audio player is pouched with the host media player in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

For reference to the figures, the following index of elements and theirnumerals is provided. Elements numbered in the 100's generally relate tothe wireless communicator, elements numbered in the 200's generallyrelate to the enhanced function device, elements numbered in the400's-600's generally relate to pouch connection circuitry, elementsnumbered in the 300's and 700's-900's generally relate to wirelessnetworks. Elements numbered in the 1000's-3000's are steps of flowcharts.

Elements generally related to the wireless communicator ElementDescription 100 Wireless communicator 101 Transparent portion of housing102 SD NAND controller 106 UART port of pouching controller 107 SD hostport of pouching controller 108 SD port of pouching controller 109 SDhost of modem 110 Pouching controller 111 SD host of pouching controller112 SD slave of pouching controller 113 Management data channel 114 Datachannel bridge 115 Storage 117 Outgoing mailbox 118 Incoming mailbox 120Modem 123 Voltage boost 124 Battery charger 125 Power managementsubsystem 126 Voltage level shifter 127 On/off button 128 On/off switch130 Audio/video subsystem 135 Power amplifier 136 RF interface 140Internal antenna 145 Battery 146 External power source 150 Connector 155USB connector 156 USB charger 160 Pouch connector 161 UART interfacemodem 162 SD interface of modem 163 Internal SRAM memory 164 Externalmemory interface 166 External SDRAM memory 170 Native user interface 171Microphone 173 Earpiece 175 Speaker 177 Vibrator 180 Keyboard 185Display 190 SIM card

Elements generally related to the enhanced function device ElementDescription 200 Enhanced function device 200a Jacket 200b Host 200cMedia player 205 Host controller 205a Auxiliary processor for jacket205b Host controller for host 207 SD driver 208 SD application 209 SDhost of host controller 210 Pouching controller 210a Pouching controllerfor jacket 210b Pouching controller for host 210c Pouching controllerfor media player 211 SD host of pouching controller 212 SD slave ofpouching controller 213 Management data channel 214 Data channel bridge215 Storage 215a Storage for jacket 215c Storage for media player 220cModem 223 Voltage boost 224 Battery charger 225 Power manager 225a Powermanager for jacket 225b Power manager for host 225c Power manager formedia player 227 On/off button 228 On/off switch 230c Media player 245Battery 245a Battery for jacket 255 USB connector 255c Externalconnector for media player 256 USB charger 257 USB hub 260 Pouchconnector 260a Pouch connector of jacket 260b Pouch connector of host260c Pouch connector of media player 261c Tracks for sliding wirelesscommunicator 270a Parent user interface of jacket 270b Parent userinterface of host 270c Parent user interface of media player 271aMicrophone of jacket 271b Microphone of host 272 Headset audio jack 273Earpiece 273a Earpiece of jacket 273b Earpiece of host 275 Left speaker275a Speaker(s) of jacket 275b Speaker(s) of host 276 Right speaker 277aVibrator of jacket 277b Vibrator of host 280 Keyboard 280a Keyboard ofjacket 280b Keyboard of host 281 Soft key 282 Soft key 283 Display bar285 Peripheral display/camera 285a Display of jacket 285b Display ofhost 285c Display of media player 286 Left display panel 287 Rightdisplay panel 288 Display control element 289 Strap for USB jacket 290aSIM card for jacket 290b SIM card for host 292 SPDT switch of USB jacket293 USB2SD bridge of USB jacket 295 Web browser 296 Micro-SD card of USBjacket 297 Controller of micro-SD card 298 Storage of micro-SD card

Elements generally related to the pouching connection/Network elementsElement Description 300 Manufacturer/seller/service provider 310Appliance registration report 320 Appliance diagnostic report 395 Webserver 400 Bi-directional power control circuit 500 Audio and USBmultiplexing circuit 505 D+ signal line 510 D− signal line 515Analog/digital switch 520 Analog/digital switch 525 Control signal line530 Headset left signal line 535 Headset right signal line 540 USBsignal line 545 USB signal line 550 Headset microphone signal line 555USB signal line 560 Headset detection line 565 USB detection line 600SD/MMC bi-directional bridge 610 Level shifter buffer 610b Level shifterbuffer 610c Level shifter buffer 615 Level shifter buffer 615b Levelshifter buffer 615c Level shifter buffer 620 Data flip-flop module 620bData flip-flop module 620c Data flip-flop module 625 Data flip-flopmodule 625b Data flip-flop module 625c Data flip-flop module 630 Dataflip-flop module 630b Data flip-flop module 630c Data flip-flop module635 Data flip-flop module 635b Data flip-flop module 635c Data flip-flopmodule 640 Data by-pass line 640b Data by-pass line 640c Data by-passline 645 Data by-pass line 645b Data by-pass line 645c Data by-pass line650 Logical processing unit 650b Logical processing unit 650c Logicalprocessing unit 655 Logical processing unit 655b Logical processing unit655c Logical processing unit 660 Logical processing unit 660b Logicalprocessing unit 660c Logical processing unit 665 Logical processing unit665b Logical processing unit 665c Logical processing unit 670 Pull-upresistor 670c Pull-up resistor 675 Pull-up resistor 675b Pull-upresistor 675c Pull-up resistor 680 Control signal line 690 SD/MMCbi-directional bridge 700 GSM communication network 715 Base transceiverstation 720 Base station controller 725 Mobile switching center 730Serving GPRS support node 735 GPRS HLR/AUC/EIR 740 GPRS visitor locationregistry 745 Gateway mobile switching center 750 Public-switchedtelephone network 755 Gateway GPRS support node 760 Internet 765 Remoteserver 800 CDMA communication network 805 Packet control function 810Packet data serving node 815 Packet core network 820 CDMA home agent 825CDMA AAA server 830 CDMA interworking function 900 WiFi communicationnetwork 905 Wireless router 910 Modem

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention relate to a wireless communicator thatattaches to an enhanced function device in a manner referred to hereinas pouching. Pouching is defined herein to mean inserting the wirelesscommunicator device inside of the enhanced function device so that thewireless communicator is at least partially obscured by the enhancedfunction device, and such that the enhanced function device mechanicallysupports the wireless communicator.

There are two general types of enhanced function devices into which thewireless communicator may be pouched; namely, jackets and hosts. Ajacket is a device that provides a user interface for the wirelesscommunicator, enriches the capabilities of the wireless communicator,and is not able to operate independently when the wireless communicatoris not pouched therewith. Conversely, a host is a device that is able tooperate independently when the wireless communicator is not pouchedtherewith, and whose capabilities are enriched by the wirelesscommunicator when the wireless communicator is pouched therewith.Generally a host does not have communication functionality independentof the wireless communicator.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified illustration of amultifunctional multi-parent, pouchable communication system constructedand operative in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Shown in FIG. 1 are a variety of wireless communicators, including 2.5Gcommunicators for a GSM network, 3G communicators for GSM network, andCDMA communicators for a CDMA network. Such wireless communicators aredescribed hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the networks illustrated inFIG. 1 are exemplary of a wide variety of networks and communicationprotocols that are supported by the wireless communicators of thepresent invention, such networks and communication protocols includinginter alia WiFi, Bluetooth and WiMax.

Also shown in FIG. 1 are a variety of enhanced function devices. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, each wirelesscommunicator may be pouched with each enhanced function device, and iscompatible therewith. The wireless communicators are substantially ofthe same form factor and, as such, are able to be pouched with thevarious enhanced function devices.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which is a simplified illustration ofvarious stages of pouching of a wireless communicator 100 with a firstenhanced function device 200 a in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. First enhanced device 200 a is a jacket for wirelesscommunicator 100. The housing of wireless communicator 100 has an atleast partially transparent portion 101 for a light source, such as anLED display, to show through. When wireless communicator 100 is fullyinserted into jacket 200 a so that electrical connection is made via apouch connector, the light source is lit underneath portion 101,indicating that the connection has been made.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the light sourcemay be used to indicate a status of wireless communicator 100. Thus thelight source may indicate inter alia a battery status of wirelesscommunicator, or a reception strength thereof. The light source mayindicate an operational mode of wireless communicator 100. Thus thelight source may indicate inter alia an audio conversation mode or avideo conversation mode. The light source may indicate when a newmessage has been received by wireless communicator 100, or when a newmessage has been sent by wireless communicator 100. The light source mayindicate that wireless communicator 100 has an incoming call. Similarly,the light source may indicate a status or operational mode of enhancedfunction device 200 when wireless communicator 100 is pouched therewith.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which is a simplified illustration ofvarious stages of pouching of wireless communicator 100 with a secondenhanced function device 200 b in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Second enhanced function device 200 b is a host forwireless communicator 100. When wireless communicator 100 is fullyinserted into jacket 200 b so that electrical connection is made via apouch connector, a light source is lit underneath portion 101,confirming that the connection has been made.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are pictorialillustrations of an embodiment of wireless communicator 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Wirelesscommunicator 100 is small; in one embodiment, its dimensions areapproximately 72.09 mm×37.59 mm×7.80 mm. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that the present invention is applicable when wirelesscommunicator 100 is manufactured with other dimensions, as well. Asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the housing for wireless communicator 100includes an at least partially transparent portion 101 for a lightsource to show through.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are pictorialillustrations of an embodiment of enhanced function device 200 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a pictorial illustration of anembodiment of an internal antenna 140 of wireless communicator 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.5, antenna 140 includes an opening 141 for a light, such as an LEDlight, to show through. Antenna 140 is positioned so that opening 141 isaligned underneath at least partially transparent portion 101 of FIGS.3A and 3B. The light for indicating a pouching connection betweenwireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 thus showsthrough opening 141 and is visible through portion 101.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified block diagramillustration of wireless communicator 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator 100 includessix primary components, as follows: a pouching controller 110, a memorystorage 115, a modem 120 for sending and receiving voice communications,a power management subsystem 125, a power amplifier 135 and a nativeuser interface 170.

Pouching controller 110 executes programmed instructions that controlthe data flow between wireless communicator 100 and enhanced functiondevice 200. Modem 120 controls the wireless communication functionalityof wireless communicator 100. Power management subsystem 125 includescharging circuitry for charging a battery 145. Power amplifier 135includes a radio frequency (RF) interface 136, and is connected to anantenna 140. Native user interface 170 includes a microphone 171 and anearpiece 173. Native user interface 170 also includes an optionalspeaker 175, vibrator 177, keyboard 180 and display 185. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that native user interface 170may included additional components, such as a headset audio jack.

Wireless communicator includes an optional audio/video subsystem 130,which includes inter alia a voice, audio and video interface.

Wireless communicator 100 includes a connector 150, which includes apouch connector 160 and an optional USB connector 155. Wirelesscommunicator 100 optionally includes a SIM 190.

Generally, each subscriber of a wireless communication network isuniquely identified. Various methods are known in the art foridentifying subscribers, including inter an IP address and a subscriberidentification module (SIM). Although the description herein refers toSIM cards, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other forms ofsubscriber identification may be used instead.

Wireless communicator 100 operates in standalone mode or in conjunctionwith enhanced function devices, such as enhanced function device 200shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when it is pouched therein via pouch connector160.

Preferably the interface between pouching controller 110 and storage115, and the interface between pouching controller 110 and modem 120 areSD interfaces. The interface between pouching controller 110 and pouchconnector 160 is a customized pouching interface.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7A, which is a simplified block diagramillustration of first enhanced function device 200 a in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. Enhanced function device 200 ais a jacket for wireless communicator 100. Enhanced function device 200a includes a pouching controller 210 a and a pouch connector 260 a, foruse when wireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced functiondevice 200 a via the wireless communicator's pouch connector 160.Enhanced function device 200 a includes an optional auxiliary processor205 a, an optional storage 215 a, an optional power management subsystem225 a, and an optional battery 245 a, and an optional SIM 290 a.

Enhanced function device 200 a includes a parent user interface 270 aincluding an optional microphone 271 a, an optional earpiece 273 a, anoptional mono speaker or optional stereo speakers 275 a, an optionalvibrator 277 a, an optional keyboard 280 a and an optional display 285a. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that native userinterface 270 a may included additional components, such as a headsetaudio jack.

Preferably the interface between pouching controller 210 a and storage215 a, is an SD interface. The interface between pouching controller 210a and pouch connector 260 a is a customized pouching interface.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7B, which is a simplified block diagramillustration of second enhanced function device 200 b in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. Enhanced function device 200 bis a host for wireless communicator 100. Enhanced function device 200 bincludes a pouching controller 210 b, a power management subsystem 225 band a pouch connector 260 b. Enhanced function device 200 b includes anoptional host controller 205 b, an optional battery 245 b and anoptional SIM 290 b.

Enhanced function device 200 b includes a parent user interface 270 bincluding an optional microphone 271 b, an optional earpiece 273 b, anoptional mono speaker or optional stereo speakers 275 b, an optionalkeyboard 280 b, and an optional display 285 b. It will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that native user interface 270 b may includedadditional components, such as a headset audio jack.

The interface between pouching controller 210 b and pouch connector 260b is a customized pouching interface.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, enhancedfunction device 200 a/200 b includes SIM 290 a/290 b, and when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200 a/200 b,wireless communicator 100 can access SIM 290 a/290 b via pouchconnectors 160 and 260 a/260 b. As such, wireless communicator 100 isable to identify itself to a wireless network using either SIM 190 orSIM 290 a/290 b.

Having access to more than one SIM when pouched with enhanced functiondevice 200 a/200 b, provides many diverse advantages to wirelesscommunicator 100. Wireless communicator 100 is then able inter alia (i)to receive incoming communications for multiple subscribers, (ii) toselect a desired subscriber identity for sending outgoingcommunications, and (iii) to change the identity of wirelesscommunicator 100 in a wireless network from the identity correspondingto SIM 190 to an alternate identity corresponding to SIM 290 a/290 b.

In an embodiment of the present invention, SIM 290 a/290 b is a prepaidSIM, which allows a limited amount of communication.

In another embodiment of the present invention SIM 190 and SIM 290 a/290b are associated with different billing programs of a wireless operator.

In another embodiment of the present invention, SIM 190 and SIM 290a/290 b may have different access rights to resources in a wirelessnetwork.

In another embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator100 uses SIM 290 a/290 b in conjunction with SIM 190, when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200 a/200 b.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200 a/200 b,enhanced function device 200 a/200 b stores instructions on when to useSIM 290 a/290 b for subscriber identification. For example, enhancedfunction device 200 a/200 b may instruct wireless communicator 100 touse SIM 290 a/290 b for international calls, for SMS messaging and fordata services. For other communications, wireless communicator-uses SIM190.

In another embodiment of the present invention, when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200 a/200 b,wireless communicator 100 prompts a user to select between possiblesubscriber identifiers. Further, if wireless communicator 100 isconnected to a network prior to being pouched with enhanced functiondevice 200 a/200 b, and if the user selects to change subscriberidentity when wireless communicator is subsequently pouched withenhanced function device, then wireless communicator 100 disconnectsfrom the network and reconnects to the network using the changedsubscribed identify.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that use of more thanone SIM may enables wireless communicator 100, when pouched withenhanced function device 200 a/200 b, to access wireless networks forwhich wireless communicator alone does not have access thereto.

It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that enhancedfunction device 200 a/200 b may include more than one SIM 290 a/290 b.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8A, which is a simplified flow chartillustration of operation of wireless communicator 100 when pouchedwithin enhanced function device 200, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. At step 1005 wireless communicator 100 is pouchedwith enhanced function device 200. At step 1010 wireless communicator100 and enhanced function device 200 authenticate each other.

In this regard, reference is now made to FIG. 8B which is a simplifieddiagram of logic for alien rejection for wireless communicator 100 andenhanced function device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced functiondevice 200 each have a private key and a certificate signed by a trustedthird party private key. As shown in FIG. 8B, the following sequence ofevents occurs at step 1010 of FIG. 8A.

-   -   Wireless communicator 100 sends its signed certificate to        enhanced function device 200 for validation.    -   Enhanced function device 200 validates the certificate using the        third party public key.    -   After validation, enhanced function device 200 sends its        certificate to wireless communicator 100 for validation.    -   Wireless communicator 100 validates the certificate using the        third party public key.    -   After validation, wireless communicator 100 generates a pseudo        random number, a, encrypts it using the enhanced function device        public key, and sends the encrypted value to enhanced function        device 200.    -   Enhanced function device 200 generates a pseudo random number,        b, encrypts it using the wireless communicator public key, and        sends the encrypted value to wireless communicator 100.    -   Wireless communicator 100 decrypts b using its private key.    -   Wireless communicator encrypts a*b using the enhanced function        device public key, and sends the encrypted value to enhanced        function device 200.    -   Enhanced function device 200 decrypts a*b using its private key,        and validates a*b.    -   Enhanced function device 200 decrypts a using its private key.    -   Enhanced function device 200 encrypts a*b using the wireless        communicator public key, and sends the encrypted value to        wireless communicator 100.    -   Wireless communicator 100 decrypts a*b using its private key and        validates a*b.

The logic shown in FIG. 8B thus establishes a common key betweenwireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200, and enablesvalidation of each certificate to facilitate alien rejection at step1010.

Referring back to FIG. 8A, at step 1015 a determination is made whetheror not wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 aremutually alien, based on the outcome of the logic shown in FIG. 8B. Ifso, then processing aborts at step 1020. Otherwise, at step 1025wireless communicator 100 reads information about enhanced device, theinformation including inter alia subscriber network identificationinformation. At step 1028 wireless communicator 100 discovers thecharacteristics of the enhanced function device that it is pouched with.At step 1029 wireless communicator 100 auto-adapts itself to enhancedfunction device 200.

At step 1030 wireless communicator 100 determines whether or notenhanced function device 200 has a subscriber network identifiersuitable for wireless communicator 100. If so, then at step 1035pouching controller 110 determines the subscriber network identifierfrom enhanced function device 1035. If not, then at step 1040 pouchingcontroller 110 determines a subscriber network identifier from anembedded identifier. At step 1045 wireless communicator uses thedetermined identifier to connect to a wireless network.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, enhancedfunction device 200 operates with a plurality of wireless communicators100 simultaneously. Simultaneous pouching of the plurality of wirelesscommunicators 100 with the same enhanced function device 200 has manyadvantages, including inter alia (i) battery charging, (ii) combiningmultiple wireless communication channels to expand bandwidth, (iii)enabling enhanced function device 200 to accept communicationtransmitted to any of the plurality of wireless communicators, (iv)usage of data storage in more than one wireless communicator, and (v)transfer of data from one wireless communicator to another wirelesscommunicator.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pouchinglocation of the plurality of wireless communicators within enhancedfunction device 200 dictates an order of priority for the plurality ofwireless communicators.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of pluralityof wireless communicators 100 has an identifier that is displayed byparenting user interface 270 of enhanced function device 200.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, parenting userinterface 270 enables modification of the wireless communicatoridentifiers.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9, which is a simplified block diagram ofa pouching interface between wireless communicator 100 and enhancedfunction device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 9, the pouching interface includes two datachannels; namely, a first data channel for use by a wirelesscommunicator manager 113 and an enhanced function device manager 213,and a second data channel for use by a wireless communicator bridge 114and an enhanced function device bridge 214. Said managers 113 and 213and bridge 114 and 214 may be embodied in pouching controller.

The first data channel is used for exchanging mailbox messages betweenpouching controller 110 and pouching controller 210. The second datachannel is used to place peripherals such as camera/display 285, indirect connection with modem 120.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interfacefor the peripherals is translated into a proprietary protocol inwireless communicator 100, and is translated back to the originalperipheral interface in enhanced function device 200.

The pouching interface may include third data channel, for use intransferring large amounts of data between pouching controller 110 andpouching controller 210.

The pouching interface includes inter alia audio channels and powersupply lines.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouching ofwireless communicator 100 with enhanced function device 200 may reducethe functionality of wireless communicator 100. Specifically, functionsaccessible to wireless communicator 100 may be limited when wirelesscommunicator is pouched with enhanced function device 200. For example,when pouched with enhanced function device 200, wireless communicator100 may be limited to only dialing designated phone numbers, or to onlyconnecting to designated web sites, or to only using a text editor tosend SMS messages. Similarly, wireless communicator 100 may be limitedto air-time, and restricted to accessing configuration settings forwireless communicator 100.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the limiting ofwireless communicator functionality is initiated automatically whenwireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200.According to another embodiment of the present invention, the limitingof wireless communicator functionality is initiated manually; e.g., byentering a password.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the user can manually removethe reduction of functionality whilst the wireless communicator ispouched within enhanced function device; e.g. by entering a password.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the limiting ofwireless communicator functionality is a parental control mechanism.According to an embodiment of the present invention, jacket 200 is usedto authenticate wireless communicator 100. E.g., a children's wirelesscommunicator 100 is only configurable when pouched within a parentaljacket 200; or vice versa a children's jacket 200 is only configurablewhen a parental wireless communicator 100 is pouched therewith.Moreover, according to an embodiment of the present invention when aparental wireless communicator 100 is pouched with a children's jacket200, the parental wireless communicator 100 assigns a parent's phonenumber to a designated programmable key in children's jacket 200.

1. Three Operation States of Wireless Communicator

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the capability ofwireless communicator 100 (i) to operate in a standalone mode, (ii) tobe pouched with a jacket shell that is not an independent device andthat cannot operate without the wireless communicator 100 being pouchedthereto, and (iii) to be pouched with an enhanced function device thatserves as the wireless communicator's host. In state (ii) wirelesscommunicator 100 functions as a master, and in state (iii) the wirelesscommunicator 100 functions as a slave.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that wirelesscommunicator 100 is operable in three states; namely, (I) a standalonestate, (II) a state connected to a simple host, and (III) a stateconnected to a complex host. In State II the simple host is a jacketshell. Wireless communicator 100 operates as a master and the jacketoperates as a slave. Conversely, in State III the complex host is anenhanced function host device. Wireless communicator 100 operates as aslave and the enhanced function host device operates as a master.

In State I as a standalone, wireless communicator 100 has its own userinterface and provides communication data and voice over radiotechnology, in addition to other services including inter alia MP3playing.

In State II connected to a simple host, the jacket is not an independentdevice and cannot operate without wireless communicator 100 beingpouched therewith. The jacket may include only a display, a keyboard anda simple non-volatile storage chip. Optionally, the jacket may furtherinclude speakers, a microphone and a secondary power source. Wirelesscommunicator 100 supplies power to jacket's keyboard, display speakersand microphone, and to the wireless communicator's own internalcircuitry. Wireless communicator 100 uses the jacket's secondary powersource to charge the wireless communicator's internal power source.

During initialization, after wireless communicator 100 is pouched withthe jacket, or at boot time, static configuration parameters are readfrom the storage of the jacket to wireless communicator 100. Thereafter,wireless communicator 100 provides the jacket with display information,in the form of screen shots such as bitmap images.

In State III connected to a complex host, the enhanced function hostdevice is an independent device that operates independently of wirelesscommunicator 100, such as an MP3/MPP player or a digital camera.Commands and information are shared, and sent over an SD control busduring operation. The enhanced function host device includes its ownhost controller, user interface and power source. The user interface forboth the device functionality and the wireless communicatorfunctionality operates through the enhanced function host device. Theinterface to the enhanced function host device is via pouch connector160, where pins on the connector 160 have specifically assignedfunctionalities and use specific protocols.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the pouchconnector to the jacket is via the same pouch connector as is theconnector to the enhanced function host device, but the pins on pouchconnector generally have different functionalities and use differentprotocols with the jacket than those used with the enhanced functionhost device.

The three operational states of wireless communicator 100 are summarizedin TABLE I hereinbelow.

TABLE I Three Operation States of Wireless Communicator 100 State IStandalone Wireless communicator uses its own interface State IIConnected to a Wireless communicator is master; jacket is slave simplehost Jacket cannot operate without wireless communicator Wirelesscommunicator provides jacket with screen shots, in the form of bitmapimages, for display information Communication is through SD bus StateIII Connected to a Wireless communicator is slave; Enhanced functioncomplex host device is master Enhanced function device operatesindependently of wireless communicator Wireless communicator, providesenhanced function device with screen shots, in the form of bitmapimages, for display information Communication is through SD bus

Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is a simplified block diagram ofwireless communicator 100 with three operational states in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator 100as shown in FIG. 10 supports the three operational states in TABLE I.The components of wireless communicator 100 shown in FIG. 10 enable itto function as a standalone device. When enhanced function device 200 isconnected to wireless communicator 100, wireless communicator 100 mayoperate as a master or as a slave, and the SD communication betweenpouch connectors 160 and 260 flows accordingly. Specifically, in StateII wireless communicator 100 is the master and enhanced function device200 is the slave, and in State III wireless communicator 100 is theslave and enhanced function device 200 is the master.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wirelesscommunicator 100 automatically detects its operational environment bymonitoring the voltage on designated pins of pouch connector 160. I.e.,communication card 100 distinguishes between States I-III based onvoltage. Enhanced function host devices and jacket shells generallydrive the voltage on these pins differently, which enables wirelesscommunicator 100 to discriminate whether or not it is pouched with anenhanced function device, and to detect the type of enhanced functiondevice it is connected to.

In this regard, reference is made to FIG. 11, which is a simplifiedflowchart of a method for wireless communicator 100 to detect the typeof enhanced function device 200 it is pouched with in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. At step 1110 battery subsystem 125or optionally pouching controller 110 monitors the connector signalVBat_host, shown in FIG. 10. If the VBat_host signal has a voltage levelhigher than logical zero (i.e., 0.5V or higher), as determined at step1120, then pouching controller 110 concludes that wireless communicator100 is pouched with an enhanced function device. Otherwise, if VBat_hostis logical zero (i.e., below 0.5V), then at step 1130 pouchingcontroller 110 concludes that wireless communicator 100 is not pouchedwith an enhanced function device.

In order to detect which type of enhanced function device wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with, pouching controller 110 monitors theHOST_INT/TYPE signal, shown in FIG. 10. When pouching is detected, theHOST_INT/TYPE signal is sampled at step 1140. If HOST_INT/TYPE is alogical zero (i.e., below 0.5V), as determined at step 1150, then atstep 1160 the pouching controller 110 concludes that enhanced functiondevice 200 is a jacket shell. Otherwise, if HOST_INT/TYPE is higher thanlogical zero (i.e., 0.5V or higher), then at step 1170 the pouchingcontroller 110 concludes that enhanced function device 200 is a hostdevice.

The use of HOST_INT/TYPE for detecting the type of enhanced functiondevice 200, is made at the time of pouching wireless communicator 100with enhanced function device 200. Afterwards, the signal HOST_INT/TYPEis used as an interrupt signal.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the SD_Vddsignal, shown in FIG. 10, may be monitored at step 1110 instead of or inaddition to the VBat_host signal. Whereas the VBat_host signal generallyindicates whether or not communication card 100 is pouched with anenhanced function device, the SD_Vdd signal generally indicates whetheror not the enhanced function device is turned on.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the threshold of0.5V used in the above discussion is merely indicative of a generalpre-designated threshold that is used to detect attachment of the hostto the communication card, and to detect the type of the host.

In an embodiment of the present invention, pouching controller pouchingcontroller 110 notifies modem 120 of pouching and the type of enhancedfunction device.

When wireless communicator modem 120 detects that wireless communicatoris pouched with an enhanced function device, native user interface 170of wireless communicator 100 is at least partially disabled at step1180. For enhanced function devices, wireless communicator modem 120receives user interface inputs, and provides feedback as bitmap graphicsBMP screen shots, or as single messages, via the pouching interface. Theenhanced function device controls the device's display and keyboard. Forenhanced function jackets, the wireless communicator modem 120 receivesdirect keyboard strokes from the jacket keyboard, and provides thedisplayed image pixels/characters directly to the jacket display, usingthe enhanced function device pouching controller 210 a.

In an embodiment of the present invention, in order to be powered,jackets connect their internal circuitry to the Vbat_Comm signal thatconnects to connector 105. If a jacket 200 has a secondary battery, thenthe secondary battery is connected to Vbat_Host, which connects to thewireless communicator's 100 power management subsystem 125 and is usedto charge the wireless communicator's internal battery 145.

Similarly, the internal circuitry of an enhanced function device 200 ispowered by connecting its internal power source to Vbat_Host. Enhancedfunction device 200 does not use the Vbat_Comm signal as a power source,but may monitor it to detect when wireless communicator 100 is pouchedtherewith, or to monitor the wireless communicator's battery level.

2. Extending Functionality of Memory Cards

Embodiments of the present invention concern extending the functionalityof SD cards, beyond the local storage functionality that isconventionally provided. Using the present invention, SD cards canprovide wired or wireless communication channels to access remotecontent servers, and can stream content from, upload content to anddownload content from these servers.

Using the present invention, SD cards can also include applications thatare controlled and displayed by enhanced function device 200, andimplemented on wireless communicator 100.

Wireless communicator 100 is compatible with existing SD physical andlogical interfaces, and operates transparently with enhanced functiondevices 200 that include SD slots.

Aspects of the present invention further provide an improved SD memorycard that provides extended functionality, including (i) wired orwireless communication channels for accessing remote content servers,and (ii) applications that are controlled and displayed by an SD hostdevice, but are implemented on the SD card. Using the improved SD memorycard of the present invention, wireless communicator 100 can streammusic or video from remote content servers, download files from theseservers, and upload files to these servers.

Reference is now made to FIG. 12, which is a simplified diagram of an SDcard interface that provides extended functionality in accordance withthe present invention.

In accordance with a embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.12. Wireless communicator 100 uses the same interface as a standard SDcard, and thus operates seamlessly with enhanced function device 200.Pouching controller 110 is controlled by embedded software. Wirelesscommunicator storage 115 is embodied as flash memory storage. Wirelesscommunicator 100 includes an SD slave controller 112, for accessing afile system that is stored on flash memory 115. Baseband modem 120 isembodied inter alia as a cellular modem, as a WLAN modem, as a WPANmodem, or as a wireless modem.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention shownin FIG. 12, enhanced function device 200 as embodied in FIG. 12 includesa pouch. Pouching controller 210 is software controlled to process an SDinstruction stack. Enhanced function device 200 also includes an SDdriver 207. Enhanced function device 200 also includes an SD application208 that performs extended functionality enabled by wirelesscommunicator 100. Details of operation of SD application 208 aredescribed hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 14.

Pouch connectors 160 and 260 enable data communication between enhancedfunction device 200 and wireless communicator 100. Pouch connectors 160and 260 also enable wireless communicator 100 to receive electricalpower from enhanced function device 200.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wirelesscommunicator 100 interfaces with enhanced function device 200 as astandard SD card, and provides information for a virtual file system.The file and directory structure reported by slave controller 112 toenhanced function device 200 does not necessarily reflect files anddirectories that are stored on wireless communicator 100. Directorynames may represent names of remote servers accessible via basebandmodem 120, and they may represent names of services that wirelesscommunicator 100 provides. The operation of opening a directory by thehost, signals pouching controller 210 to access a specific server oractivate a specific service.

In accordance with the present invention, file names may represent namesof files or streams that are stored remotely on a selected server.Opening a specific files triggers wireless communicator 100 to accessthe remote file or stream and download it to the card. Immediate accessto the file by the host is provided via a dummy copy of the file thatmay include a place holder message such as “file is currently beingdownloaded, download will be complete within xx seconds”. The placeholder message may be provided in the form of an audio file, such as anMP3 or WMA file, or an image file, such as a JPEG of GIF file, dependingon the type of file that was requested.

Writing a file to a designated location on wireless communicator 100operates to upload the file to the selected remote server.

In accordance with the present invention, file names may also be used todesignate controls for applications that are executed on wirelesscommunicator 100. Opening of a file designates activation of acorresponding control.

For one usage scenario, wireless communicator 100 may have a directorynamed “Radio”. Selection of this directory activates a radio on thecard. In turn, the Radio directory includes a list of files with names“Search Forward”, “Search Backward”, “Volume Up” and “Volume Down”.Opening the “Search Forward” file, for example, activates an instructionto the radio to skip to the next channel.

For another usage scenario, enhanced function device 200 writes to afile in a directory named “ATComm”. In response, an AT command, whichincludes content written to the file, is issued to baseband modem 120.Thus, if the host writes “ATZ” to the file, which is a reset command,the command is transmitted to baseband modem 120. The modem reply, whichis typically “OK”, is written to a second file in the ATComm directory,available for enhanced function device 200 to read.

For devices that support more advanced data formats such as HTML pagesor Java applications, wireless communicator 100 provides a graphicaluser interface via an HTML file or Java application file that is storedon the card. The host device opens and executes such file, e.g.,main.html, which in turn provides a graphical representation foraccessing remote files or for controlling an application on wirelesscommunicator 100. File content and HTML links are changed dynamicallycorresponding to changes in information or changes in status.

With the graphical user interface, control wireless communicator 100 isstill performed by selecting, opening and writing to files, but theinterface is graphical, as coded in the HTML file or Java application.

As described hereinabove, directory names on wireless communicator 100may represent names of remote servers, and file names on wirelesscommunicator 100 may correspond to names of remote files and streams.Reference is now made to FIG. 13, which is a simplified illustration ofan arrangement of clusters in an SD card file system in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 13 is a flashmemory in SSD card is represented as including 60 clusters, numberedconsecutively from 1 to 60, although clusters 31-60 are virtual,non-physical clusters, as described in detail in what follows.

The physical memory on wireless communicator 100 is generallypartitioned into 512 byte sectors, and four sectors are combined to forma 2 KB cluster, although it will be appreciated by those skilled in theart that other partitions are within the scope of the present invention.In FIG. 11 the physical memory includes clusters 1-30. Informationregarding available clusters on wireless communicator 100 is maintainedin a file allocation table (FAT). For each cluster, two bytes are storedin the FAT, as follows.

0, if cluster is empty Next cluster in file, if cluster is not the lastcluster in a file 0xFFF8, if cluster is the last cluster in a file0xFFF7, if cluster is a bad cluster

Clusters 1-6 of FIG. 13 correspond to an MP3 file that is stored as acluster chain. The first cluster in the chain is cluster 1, and thechain continues through clusters 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, with cluster 6 beingthe last cluster in the file, designated as an EOF (end-of-file)cluster. The arrows drawn in these clusters represent pointers thatadvance through the chain of clusters. Clusters 7-9 of FIG. 13correspond to an MP3 file that is currently being downloaded. As such,cluster 9 is not necessarily an EOF cluster since additional downloadeddata may require additional clusters for storage. Similarly, clusters26-28 correspond to a second MP3 file that is currently beingdownloaded. Clusters 23 and 24 correspond to an MP4 file that iscurrently being downloaded. Clusters 10-22 and 25, 29 and 30 are freeclusters. The cross-hatching in the clusters of FIG. 13 corresponds tothe type of cluster, as indicated in the FAT legend.

Information about files is stored in a directory, designated “ROOTDIRECTORY” in FIG. 13, having 32 byte directory entries generallyincluding the following information.

File name with 8+3 characters Type - regular file, directory File sizeDate & time First cluster of fileFile names longer than 8+3 characters are obtained by includingadditional entries for the same file with special attributes. Thedirectory itself is stored in the file system as a regular file.

In an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 13, the SDfile system is extended by declaring the volume to be of a size largerthan the amount of available physical flash memory. Enhanced functiondevice 300 is not aware of the discrepancy since it never needs to writeto the excess volume.

The extended volume includes physical clusters, which are mapped to realflash memory locations, and virtual clusters, which have addressesbeyond the available flash memory. Cluster 1-30 in FIG. 13 are physicalclusters, and clusters 31-60 are virtual clusters. Upon initialization,the virtual clusters may be marked as bad clusters in the FAT, therebyensuring that enhanced function device 100 does not try to write tothese clusters. More generally, when host device is powered up, theflash memory is reset by erasing all file entries in the root directoryand clearing the FAT. Physical clusters are marked as being freeclusters, and virtual clusters may be marked as being bad clusters.

Virtual clusters are converted to stub locations when they are read.Stub locations include a directory list stub and a media stub, such asan MP3 stub. A directory list stub includes a file with a place holdermessage such as “file is currently being downloaded, download will becomplete within xx seconds”, as described hereinabove. A virtual clusteris mapped to an appropriate stub location in the flash memory in such away that distinct virtual clusters correspond to distinct stub files.

Clusters 31 and 37 in FIG. 13 are directory list stubs. Clusters 44-46,clusters 50-52 and clusters 59-60 are media stubs. Media stubs arecluster chains that end at an EOF cluster. Clusters 44-46 and clusters50-52 correspond to an MP3 stub, and cluster 59-60 corresponds to an MP4stub. Clusters 32-36, 38-43, 47-49 and 53-58 are marked as bad clusters.It is noted that MP3 stubs are generally identical, since they generallycontain the same place holder message. More generally, media stubs for aspecific media type, such as MP3 stubs, JPG stubs or MP4 stubs, areidentical.

The number of virtual clusters that are defined equals N*M, where N isthe maximum number of concurrent stubs required, and M is the maximumnumber of clusters for stub data. Typically, one cluster is used for adirectory list stub, and 50 clusters, corresponding to 100 KB, are usedfor a media stub. For simplicity, FIG. 13 is drawn with N=5 and M=6. Inpractice, reasonable values for N and M are 256 and 64, respectfully,and accordingly the number of virtual clusters is 2̂14. As such, thevirtual clusters require 32 KB for their FAT entries.

A portion of the flash memory, designated in FIG. 13 as “STUB STORAGEAREA”, that contains M clusters is used to stub file data and is notmapped to the file system. Only SD controller 112 can access thisstorage area of the flash memory. The M clusters in the stub storagearea are hidden clusters; specifically, they are physical clusters inthe flash memory but they are not mapped directly on the FAT. Whenvirtual clusters are read, the virtual cluster locations are convertedto hidden cluster locations.

Stub files have valid directory entries, which point to virtual toclusters as the first file cluster. All subsequent clusters in the stubfiles are also virtual clusters. Referring to FIG. 13, clusters 44-46,clusters 50-52 and clusters 59-60 are cluster chains for stub files.Each stub file points to a different virtual cluster, although they maycontain the same stub data. Consequently, SD controller 112 knows whichfile to download based upon the virtual sector number requested byenhanced function device 300. Specifically, the hidden sector number toread from the stub storage area is V (mod 4M), where V is the virtualsector offset inside the virtual sector area. The term 4M arises fromthe 4 sectors per cluster. More generally, if there are K sectors percluster, then the hidden sector number to read is V (mod K*M).

When a remote file or stream is downloaded, it is stored on wirelesscommunicator 100 in a FAT cluster chain, just as a local file is stored.However, the directory entry for the file does not point to the firstcluster in the chain. A download map from virtual cluster number to{file name, file type, pointer to file on remote server, first realcluster} is used to maintain a list of all current stub files, includingfiles in stub mode and files in downloading mode. Links that can beclicked on by a user have entries in the download map, along with a stubfile directory entry with a file type of the form DIRECTORY, MP3,MP3_STREAM, or such other media type. When a file is finished beingdownloaded, it is removed from the download map.

Shown in FIG. 13 is a download map with entries for two directories andtwo MP3 files, corresponding to the stubs in the root directory. The MP3files being downloaded are currently stored in clusters 7-9 and clusters23 and 24.

Reference is now made to FIG. 14, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for downloading a file from a remote server to wirelesscommunicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. To supplement FIG. 14, reference is also made to FIGS.15A-15D, which are snapshots of a user interface and a file system for asimple example use case, during various stages of file download duringoperation of the method of FIG. 14 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Each of FIGS. 15A-15D are divided into threeportions. The leftmost portion illustrates a user interface, the middleportion illustrates directory entries and the download map, and therightmost portion illustrates the FAT. Thus, whereas FIG. 14 describesthe steps being performed, the accompanying FIGS. 15A-15D illustratestates of the user interface and the file system during various ones ofthe steps. The legends for the cross-hatching on the FATs in FIGS.15A-15D are the same as the legend provided in FIG. 13. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that the file system illustratedin FIGS. 15A-15D is simplified, in order to emphasize the workings of anembodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, in general at step 1205, SD application 208analyzes a downloaded directory file for new stub files to create. Thedirectory content is recursively searched by SD application 208. Foreach file discovered a directory listing stub or media stub is created,corresponding to the file type.

FIG. 15A corresponds to an initial stage wherein a user is browsing adownloaded remote directory listing, as shown in the leftmost portion ofFIG. 15A. At this stage, the root directory has entries for two stubdirectories; namely, a “jazz” stub directory at virtual cluster 31, anda “rock” stub directory at virtual cluster 37. The root directory alsohas entries for two local files; namely, a movie stored at clusters 1-6,and a pop song stored at clusters 7-9. The download map has URL entriesfor two remote directories; namely, a “jazz” directory at virtualcluster 31 has URL http://music.com/jazz, and a “rock” directory atvirtual cluster 37 has URL http://music.com/rock.

Reference is now made to FIG. 16, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for generating a stub file in step 1205 of FIG. 14 in accordancewith the present invention. At step 1310, SD application 208 searchesthe virtual clusters in the FAT, such as clusters 31-60 in FIG. 15A, forthe first free row; namely, the first row with clusters marked as badclusters. At step 1320 the first applicable cluster in the row found atstep 1310 is set as the first cluster of the stub file, according to thetype of stub file. Specifically, for the example FAT shown in FIG. 13,the applicable cluster for directory list stubs is the first cluster inthe row, for MP3 stubs is the second cluster in the row, and for MP4stubs is the fifth cluster in the row. Such an arrangement ensures thatthe different types of stubs correspond to different hidden cluster inthe sub storage area.

At step 1330, SD application 208 allocates additional virtual clusters,as required for storing the stub file, and the additional virtualclusters are chained to the first virtual cluster. Such virtual clusterchains are shown in FIG. 13B as clusters 44-46 and clusters 50-52.Finally, at step 1340, SD application 208 modifies the directory entryfor the stub file, so that the first cluster of the stub file points tothe first cluster from step 1320, and so that the size of the stub filematches the actual length of the stub file.

At step 1210, enhanced function device 200 refreshes and identifies thenewly-downloaded directory listing. At step 1215 a determination is madewhether a file is to be downloaded. If so, processing advances to step1225. Otherwise, processing ends.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the user clicks on the “jazz” directory.Momentarily, a place holder message “downloading file list please wait”appears on the user interface. The place holder message is stored in thestub storage area, as shown in FIG. 13, in the hidden clustercorresponding to cluster 31. In the meantime, enhanced function device200 downloads the remote file list for the “jazz” directory, anddisplays the list shown at the top of the leftmost portion of FIG. 15B.The list contains two files; namely, a “benny goodman” MP3 file, and a“louis armstrong” MP3 file.

At this stage, the root directory, includes a local directory for the“jazz” directory at data cluster 13. A “jazz” directory is generated,and includes entries for two stub MP3 files; namely, a stub MP3 file atvirtual cluster 44, and a stub MP3 file at virtual cluster 50. Thedownload map includes URLs for the remote “benny goodman” and “louisarmstrong” files. The user clicks on “benny goodman” to initiatedownload of that file.

Referring back to FIG. 14, in general at step 1220 enhanced functiondevice 200 issues a file read request to the SD file system. The requestis transmitted to SD driver 207. SD driver 207 determines from the FAT,which appropriate cluster to read, and finds the cluster value, whichcorresponds to a virtual cluster. Enhanced function device 200 isunaware that the cluster value corresponds to a non-physical cluster,and interprets the value as a legitimate cluster value.

At step 1225, SD driver 207 transmits the read request to SD slavecontroller 112. SD driver 212 converts the virtual cluster value to avirtual sector value, using a conversion of the form K*V+constant, andissues a read request to the virtual sector. As above, the parameter Kis the number of sectors per cluster.

At step 1230, SD slave controller 112 receives the read request. Inresponse, SD slave controller 112 sends a command to SD application 208including the virtual sector value, and returns the corresponding hiddensector value to enhanced function device 200, using the formulahidden_sector=virtual_sector (mod(K*M).

At step 1235, SD application 208 receives the event from SD slavecontroller 112, and converts the sector value to a URL, or to anothersuch pointer to a file on a remote server, using the download map. SDapplication 208 then issues an HTTP GET command, or such other downloadcommand, to retrieve the remote file. This operation is performed onlyonce, when the first sector of the file is read.

At step 1240, SD driver 207 retrieves the stub data. Enhanced functiondevice 200 is unaware that this data belongs to a stub file. The lengthmatches the file length in the directory listing, to ensure consistency.The data is displayed to the user, and includes a message such as “fileis currently being downloaded, download will be complete within xxseconds”. Generally, the message is refreshed by enhanced functiondevice 200. In circumstances where enhanced function device 200 does notrefresh, the SD card forces a refresh every 2-3 seconds by a refreshoperation, or by a disconnect/connect operation using the SD protocol.

Referring to FIG. 15B, in this embodiment the place holder message“Please wait, file is downloading” from the stub file is played to theuser. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art the placeholder messages may be displayed to a user as a still image or videoclip, or played as an audio file, or both. In one embodiment, the placeholder message is the same media type as the file that is correspondsto; i.e., audio messages are played when audio files are beingdownloaded, and video messages are played when video files are beingdownloaded.

Referring to FIG. 15C, the file being downloaded is stored in physicalclusters 15, 16, 17, etc. This is reflected in the entry for the “bennygoodman” file in the download map, where cluster 15 is designated.

Referring back to FIG. 14, in general at step 1245 SD application 208receives the real file content and stores it in the flash memory. Thefile is downloaded via baseband modem 120. As it arrives, SD application208 updates the download map for the file with the amount of datareceived, and updates the first cluster in the cluster chain for thefile in the flash memory. Each cluster of the downloaded file is storedin a free cluster in the flash memory, which is then marked as full.Thus it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that as the fileis downloaded a regular file is generated in the FAT, but without adirectory item for the file. Instead, the first sector of the file isstored in the download map.

At step 1250 enhanced function device 300 refreshes the file list. Atstep 1255 a determination is made whether or not the download for thefile is complete. If not, processing returns to step 1245 where SDapplication 208 continues to download the file. Otherwise, if thedownload is complete then, at step 1260, SD application 208 marks thelast cluster of the downloaded file with an EOF.

At step 1265, SD application 208 points the first cluster of the file tothe downloaded data cluster chain. SD application 208 replaces thedirectory entry for the file from the virtual cluster value to thephysical first cluster of the newly downloaded file. As such, the fileentry now points to a legitimate file. The file size is also changed, soas to correspond to the received file length. The file is then removedfrom the download map.

Referring to FIG. 15D, when enhanced function device 200 refreshes, theuser interface displays the new file, and the user listens to the realBenny Goodman song. The downloaded file is now stored in clusters 15-21,and cluster 21 is marked with an EOF. The downloaded file now appears asa local file in the “jazz” directory, and its entry is removed from thedownload map.

Reference is now made to FIG. 17, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for playing a streamed file from wireless communicator 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 1410,enhanced function device 200 accesses a media stub. At step 1410 thestream data associated with the media stub begins downloading, and isdynamically stored in physical file clusters as it arrives, such as fileclusters 7-9 in FIG. 13. SD application 208 waits until sufficient dataarrives to play a few seconds' worth of the media. Then, at step 1430,SD application 208 links the downloaded file to the FAT. The file sizeis reported as being extremely long. At step 1440, SD application 208continues to write new clusters of data, as the stream if downloaded forseveral more seconds. At step 1450, the FAT cluster link becomescircular, and SD application 208 loops back to the first stored clusterfor the file.

In this regard, reference is now made to FIG. 18, which is anillustration of file streaming using a circular cluster cycle in the FATin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Thecross-hatched clusters in FIG. 18 correspond to the FAT legend providedin FIG. 10.

Referring back to FIG. 17, at step 1460 a determination is made whetheror not the user has stopped listening to the stream. Such adetermination may be made by SD application 208, by identifying a lackof access by enhanced function device 200 to the file clusters. If theuser has not stopped listening to the stream, then processing returns tostep 1440 as more data is streamed. Otherwise, if the user has stoppedlistening to the stream then, at step 1470, enhanced application 208updates the FAT to point to a stub in the virtual memory, and frees upall clusters that have been designated for the streamed file.

In addition to downloading of remote files to wireless communicator 100,application 208 may also upload files from wireless communicator 100 toa remote server, and store them in a designated directory. SDapplication 208 may create a directory named “uploads” under the rootdirectory, when the file system of wireless communicator 100 isinitialized. The “uploads” directory is generated as a directory liststub in the virtual storage area, and includes a single data cluster.The “uploads” directory is initially set as an empty directory.

Reference is now made to FIG. 19, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for uploading a file from wireless communicator 100 to a remoteserver in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Tosupplement FIG. 19, reference is also made to FIGS. 20A and 20B, whichare snapshots of a user interface and a file system for a simple exampleuse case, during various stages of file upload during operation of themethod of FIG. 19 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 20A is divided into three portions. The leftmost portionillustrates a user interface, the middle portion illustrates directoryentries and the upload map, and the rightmost portion illustrates theFAT. FIG. 20B is divided into two portions. The left portion illustratesdirectory entries and the upload map, and the right portion illustratesthe FAT. Thus, whereas FIG. 19 describes the steps being performed, theaccompanying FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate states of the user interfaceand the file system during various ones of the steps. The legends forthe cross-hatching on the FIGS. 20A and 20B are the same as the legendprovided in FIG. 13. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the file system illustrated in FIGS. 20A and 20B is simplified, inorder to emphasize the workings of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 19, in general at step 1510 when enhanced functiondevice 200 is instructed to upload a file to a remote server, it createsa new file in a virtual directory named “uploads”. At step 1520, SDslave controller 112 identifies a write request to the “uploads”directory. SD slave controller 112 may identify such request, sinceenhanced function device 200 issues the write request to a virtualcluster number. SD controller then sends an event to SD application 208.

At step 1530, the host's write request is re-directed to a hidden sectorthat holds the “uploads” directory listing content. SD application 208recognizes that a new file is being created in the “uploads” directory,and it allows enhanced function device 200 to write the file content. Atstep 1540 the file content is written to the file created in the“uploads” directory. The file itself is treated as a regular file in thefile system.

FIG. 20A corresponds to a stage where the upload directory listing isdisplayed in the user interface, and a user has selected a file name“recording.mp3” for upload. As shown in FIG. 20A, the root directory hasan entry for a stub uploads directory located at virtual cluster 36. Theroot directory also has an entry for the music file “recording.mp3”,which is stored at clusters 1-6.

FIG. 20B corresponds to a stage where the selected file is copied to thephysical storage area, and the upload process begins. Referring to FIG.20B, there is now an “uploads” directory with an entry for the file“recording.mp3” having first cluster 7.

At step 1550, SD application 208 determines whether or not enhancedfunction device 200 has finished writing the file and has closed thefile. If not, processing returns to step 1540. If enhanced functiondevice 200 has closed the file, then at step 1560 SD application 208initiates a communication session with the remote server, and at step1570 SD application 208 sends the file is content to the remote server.

At step 1580, SD application 208 determines whether or not the file hasbeen successfully delivered to the remote server. If not, processingreturns to step 1570. If the file has been successfully delivered to theremote server, then at step 1590 the file is removed from the filesystem and from the outgoing directory listing.

3. Auto-Adaptation

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems formaintaining a unified user interface look & feel when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200. Using thepresent invention, a user experiences the same-looking interface when heswitches from the enhanced function device configuration screen to thewireless communicator configuration screen. Both screens have the samelook & feel, and wireless communicator 100 appears transparent to theuser and does not appear as a foreign device.

Using the present invention, wireless communicator 100 is aware of thespecific enhanced function device 200 with which it is pouched, andadapts its screen graphics to parent user interface 270. As such, thesame user interface displays both the enhanced function device and thewireless communicator configurations and a unified look & feel ismaintained.

The present invention is of particular advantage with multi-sourcesystems where many different types of wireless communicator 100 can bepouched with many different types of enhanced function devices 200.Methods of the present invention ensure that the user experiences ahomogenous look & feel in each enhanced function device 200, when henavigates from the enhanced function device configuration screen to thewireless communicator configuration screen.

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems foron-line configuration of controlled software, which flexibly supportwireless communicator 100 pouched with one of multiple enhanced functiondevices 200 yet retain the same operational control over wirelesscommunicator 100, and which adapt the look & feel so as to integrate thewireless communicator control software in the enhanced function devicesoftware environment in a homogeneous way. Enhanced function device 200is used to configure the pouched system, and parent user interface 270is maintained as a fixed point of reference for the user. Adaptation tothe parent user interface 270 is carried out in wireless communicator100.

The look & feel of a user interface relates to visual elements that auser experiences when he interacts with the interface. The look & feelincludes inter alia:

-   -   screen size (pixel width and height);    -   font type, font size, font color and other visual font        characteristics;    -   background color and background pattern (e.g., BMP or JPG image,        or multiple images for animation);    -   menu type (e.g., scroll with items selected marked by highlight        or zoom);    -   transitional entry effects (e.g., flip, zoom);    -   screen and button topology (e.g., location of specific buttons        on the screen, such as the X button at the top-right corner of a        window for closing the window);    -   menu topology (e.g., location of items in a specific menu); and    -   screen template (e.g., usage and position of general progress        keys, such as Next, Back, Cancel and Enter).

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, look & feelparameters may be defined in an XML document. Such an XML document may,for example, take the form provided below.

Sample XML document with look & feel parameters <definitions> <screen><size=800*600> <touch=yes> <layout=portrait> <color quality=32 bit> ..... </screen> <background> <color = black> <pattern = none> .... .</background> <fonts> <font1> <color=yellow> <size=16> <type=bolditalic> ...... </font1> <font2> <color=blue> <size=12> <type=regular>...... </font2> ... </fonts> ... <buttons> <button1> <location=bottomleft> <icon=”left_arrow.jpg”> </button1> <button2> <location=bottomright> <icon=”right_arrow.jpg”> </button2> </buttons> ... </definitions>

Reference is now made to FIGS. 21A and 21B, FIGS. 22A and 22B, and FIGS.23A and 23B, which are displays of various configuration screens forenhanced function device 200 and wireless communicator 100, pouchedtogether, wherein displays 185 and 285 are controlled so as to have thesame look & feel, in accordance so with an embodiment of the presentinvention. The enhanced function device shown in FIG. 21A is a mediaplayer, such as an MP3 player. Shown in FIG. 21A is a sample parent userinterface 270. The screen shown in FIG. 21A corresponds to the enhancedfunction device configuration screen, before wireless communicator 100is pouched to enhanced function device 200, and the screen shown in FIG.21B corresponds to the enhanced function device configuration screen,after wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device200. It is noted that both configuration screens have the same look &feel. Specifically, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched toenhanced function device 200, the displayed font size, type and colorremain the same, and the screen size and background color remain thesame.

In addition, the screen template is preserved for two “soft-keys” 281and 282 and a bar 283 above them that includes their correspondingfunction names. Soft keys are multi-function keys that use part of adisplay to identify their function at any moment. Soft-keys aregenerally located directly below the display. In FIG. 21A soft keys 281and 282 correspond respectively to Vol. Up and Vol. Down functions, asindicated by bar 283; and in FIG. 20B soft keys 281 and 282 correspondrespectively to Call and End functions, respectively, as indicated bybar 283.

The enhanced function device shown in FIG. 22A is a digital camera.Shown in FIG. 22A is a sample interface for enhanced function device200. Again, in accordance with the present invention, the look & feel ofFIG. 22B, namely, the wireless communicator configuration, is the sameas that of. FIG. 22A, namely, the enhanced function deviceconfiguration. As may be seen in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the look & feel ofthe configuration interface includes a left panel 286 and a right panel287. The left panel 286 is created by enhanced function device 200. Whenwireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200,the left panel may be altered by enhanced function device 200. Thus inFIG. 22B the left panel includes a new control element 288 in the shapeof a star, for toggling between parent functionality mode and nativefunctionality mode.

Right panel 287 is controlled by enhanced function device 200 when theparent functionality mode is running, and controlled by wirelesscommunicator 100 when the native functionality mode is running. Ineither case, the content displayed in the right panel conforms to thelook & feel parameters for the host. The “look parameters” of rightpanel 287, including inter alia the dimensions of right panel 287, itsbackground color, its font type, size and color, and its menu header andlocation, are the same in FIGS. 22A and 22B. Similarly, the “feel”parameters of right panel 287, including inter alia assignment of clientoptions 1, 2 and 3 to corresponding host buttons and the jog dialoptions, are also the same in FIGS. 22A and 22B.

The enhanced function device shown in FIG. 23A is a GPS navigator. Shownin FIG. 23A is a sample interface for enhanced function device 200.Again, in accordance with the present invention, the look & feel of FIG.23B, namely the native wireless communication configuration, is the sameas that of FIG. 23A, namely the parent functionality configuration. Itis noted, for example, that the “X” remains in the top right corner whenwireless communicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200.

More generally, reference is now made to FIG. 24, which is a simplifiedblock diagram of a system with a uniform interface for configuringwireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 24 isenhanced function device 200, with its pouching controller 210, itsdisplay 285 and its optional power management subsystem 225. Enhancedfunction device 200 has its own look & feel parameters 216 storedtherein. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,requisite font files are also stored with look & feel parameters 216.

Also shown in FIG. 24 is wireless communicator 100, with its pouchingcontroller 110, its optional display 185 and its power managementsubsystem 125. Wireless communicator 100 also includes a configurationprogram 114, which enables a user to select configuration settings forwireless communicator 100.

Enhanced function device 200 and wireless communicator 100 communicatevia respective pouch connectors 260 and 160 over a communicationchannel. The communication channel may be a physical or a wirelesschannel. Parent look & feel parameters 216 are transmitted by pouchconnector 260 over the communication channel, and received by pouchconnector 160. In turn, the parent look & feel parameters aretransmitted to configuration program 114, the transmission beingcontrolled by corresponding pouching controllers 110 and 120.

Configuration program 114 has a native look & feel. In accordance withan embodiment of the present invention, configuration program 114 adaptsits look & feel accordingly, so as to conform to parent look & feelparameters 216 of enhanced function device 200. Configuration program114 generates a graphics screen image that conforms to parent look &feel parameters 216. The graphics screen image is transmitted to pouchconnector 160, and is further transmitted to pouch connector 260 overthe communication channel. The graphics image is then transmitted todisplay 285, for display to a user.

As the user interacts with the displayed graphics image and issuessuccessive commands, the commands are transmitted via the communicationchannel back to configuration program 114, which generates successivegraphics screen images in response to the user commands. The successivegraphics screen images, based again on parent look & feel parameters216, are transmitted to display 285 for further display to the user.

Pouching controllers 110 and 210 control transmission of the commandsfrom enhanced function device 200 to wireless communicator 100, andtransmission of the graphics screen images from wireless communicator100 to enhanced function device 200.

Reference is now made to FIG. 25A, which is a simplified flowchart of afirst embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration interfacefor wireless communicator 100 so as to conform to the look & feel ofparent user interface 270 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The flowchart of FIG. 25A is divided into threecolumns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who isoperating a multi-source system including enhanced function device 200and wireless communicator 100. The middle column indicates stepsperformed by enhanced function device 200, and the rightmost columnindicates steps performed by wireless communicator 100.

At step 1603 wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced functiondevice 200. At step 1606 enhanced function device 200 transfers the look& feel parameters for parent user interface 270, to the client. Asdescribed hereinabove, the parent look & feel parameters may bespecified in an XML document. Enhanced function device 200 may alsotransfer requisite font files, for fonts specified in the look & feelparameters.

At step 1609 wireless communicator 100 adapts the look & feel of itsconfiguration program according to the parent look & feel parameters. Atstep 1612 the wireless communicator configuration program generates aconfiguration screen, in the form of a bitmap image, which conforms tothe look & feel of parent user interface 270.

At step 1615 enhanced function device 200 receives the bitmap image ofthe configuration screen from wireless communicator 100, and at step1618 enhanced function device 200 displays the bitmap image, whichconforms to the parent look & feel. As such, the user interfacedisplayed by enhanced function device 200 preserves a unified look &feel, even when being used to configure wireless communicator 100.

It may thus be appreciated that enhanced function device 200 displaysits own configuration options and wireless communicator 100configuration options on the same screen, and with a common look & feel.Enhanced function device 200 may display both configurations at the sametime, or may switch between the parent options and the native options,but in each case the same visual user interface is presented to theuser.

At step 1621 the user interacts with the system and issues a command,the response to which may require a change in the display screen. Atstep 1624 enhanced function device 200 sends to wireless communicator100 a notification of the user command. At step 1627 the wirelesscommunicator configuration program generates a new bitmap image for aconfiguration screen, in response to the user command, as appropriate.At step 1630 enhanced function device 200 receives the new configurationscreen, in the form of the new bitmap image, from wireless communicator100. Finally, at step 1633 enhanced function device 200 displays thealtered screen, which again conforms to the look & feel of the parent.The method then returns to step 1621, as the user continues to interactwith the system.

Reference is now made to FIG. 25B, which is a simplified flowchart of asecond embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration interfacefor wireless communicator 100 so as to conform to the look & feel ofparent user interface 270, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The flowchart of FIG. 25B is divided into threecolumns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who isoperating a multi-source system including wireless communicator 100 andenhanced function device 200. The middle column indicates stepsperformed by enhanced function device 200, and the rightmost columnindicates steps performed by wireless communicator 100. The method ofFIG. 25B uses a web interface for a user to configure wirelesscommunicator 100.

At step 1636 wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced functiondevice 200. At step 1639 enhanced function device 200 transfers the look& feel parameters for parent user interface 270 to wireless communicator100. Enhanced function device 200 may also transfer requisite fontfiles, for fonts specified in the parent look & feel parameters. At step1642 the wireless communicator configuration program sets it parametersaccording to the parent look & feel parameters.

At step 1645 the wireless communicator configuration program generates aweb page, which conforms to the parent look & feel parameters. At step1648 wireless communicator 100 uploads the web page to a URL on a webserver. At step 1651 enhanced function device 200, using a web browserinstalled therein, browses the URL and renders and displays the webpage.

Referring back to FIG. 24, in this second embodiment enhanced functiondevice 200 includes a web browser 295, which browses and renders webpages stored in a web server 395. The web pages are generated byconfiguration program 114 so as to comply with parent look & feelparameters 216, and are uploaded to web server 395.

Proceeding now with FIG. 25B, at step 1654 a user who is viewing the webpage displayed at step 1651 issues a user command. At step 1657 enhancedfunction device 200 sends the user command to wireless communicator 100.At step 1660 the wireless communicator configuration program generates anew web page, in response to the user command, as appropriate. At step1663 wireless communicator 100 uploads the web page to a URL on the webserver. At step 1666 enhanced function device 200 browses the URL andrenders and displays the new web page. The method then returns to step1654, as the user continues to interact with the system.

Reference is now made to FIG. 25C, which is a simplified flowchart of athird embodiment of a method for controlling a configuration interfacefor wireless communicator 100 so as to conform to the look & feel ofparent user interface 270, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The flowchart of FIG. 25C is divided into threecolumns. The leftmost column indicates steps performed by a user who isoperating a multi-source system including enhanced function device 200and wireless communicator 100. The middle column indicates stepsperformed by enhanced function device 200, and the rightmost columnindicates steps performed by wireless communicator 100.

At step 1669 wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced functiondevice 200. At step 1672 wireless communicator 100 transfers itsconfiguration program to enhanced function device 200, thus enablingenhanced function device 200 to generate the appropriate userinterfaces.

At step 1675 enhanced function device 200 sets parameters of thewireless communicator's configuration program corresponding to the look& feel parameters of parent user interface 270. At step 1678 enhancedfunction device 200 by itself generates a screen image for wirelesscommunicator configuration, running the wireless communicator'sconfiguration program. At step 1681 enhanced function device 200displays the screen image.

At step 1684 a user who is viewing and interacting with the userinterface issues a command. At step 1687 enhanced function device 200generates a new screen image, in response to the user command, asappropriate, running the wireless communicator's configuration program.At step 1690 enhanced function device 200 displays the new screen image.The method then returns to step 1684, as the user continues to interactwith the system.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the methodsof FIGS. 25A, 25B and 25C enable wireless communicator 100 to displayboth parent configuration settings and native configuration settings onenhanced function device screen 285, simultaneously, with a uniform look& feel. As such, a user of the system experiences a homogeneousinterface, and it is transparent to the user that two differentstandalone devices are operating.

Shown in TABLES IIA and IIB are example button key assignments for ahost mode and a client mode, respectively, within a multi-source system.TABLES IIA and IIB correspond to FIGS. 21A and 21B, respectively, wherethe enhanced function device is an MP3 player running in media playermode. The buttons of the system are labeled B1-B15, together with aTOUCH button on the touch screen displayed with a question mark. Thebuttons have one assignment of functions in host mode and anotherassignment of functions in client mode. Button B8, for example, isassigned a play function in TABLE IA, and is assigned a function toenter the numeral “8” in TABLE IIB.

Reference is now made to FIG. 26, which is an illustration of buttonkeys that have different key assignments for parent mode and nativemode, but a common look & feel user interface for setting the wirelesscommunicator and the enhanced function device configuration parametersin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 26, buttons B1-B12 correspond to the four rows of three buttons onthe keypad, in the order from top left to bottom right. Buttons B13 andB14 correspond to the soft keys 281 and 282 in FIGS. 21A and 21B. ButtonB15 corresponds to a speaker button.

It is also noted that buttons B4, B6, B13 and B14 have dual functions,corresponding to a short duration press and a long duration press.Key-press and key-release events may be analyzed so as to distinguishbetween long duration and short duration presses.

When running in parent mode, the key assignments correspond to mediaplayer key assignments, as in TABLE IIA. However, when running in nativemode, the key assignments correspond to conventional cell phone keyassignments, as in TABLE IIB. It may be seen from TABLE IIA that inparent mode, buttons B5 and B15 are not used, and long button pressesare not distinguished from short presses.

TABLE IIA Parent Key Assignments Screen Function Assigned Key Media PlayB8 Player Stop B11 Mode Next B9 Prev B7 FWD B12 BKD B10 Record B2 Vol.Up B13 Vol. Down B14 Up B1 Down B3 Right B6 Left B4 Help TOUCH

TABLE IIB Native Key Assignments Screen Function Assigned Key Dialer 0B11 Mode 1 B1 2 B2 3 B3 4 B4 5 B5 6 B6 7 B7 8 B8 9 B9 # B12 * B10 LeftLONG B4 Right LONG B6 Call B13 End B14 Erase LONG B14 Options LONG B13Speaker B15 Help TOUCH

In accordance with the present invention, when wireless communicator 100is not pouched to enhanced function device 200, or when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200 but thepouched system is running in parent mode, the parent key assignments,such as those indicated in TABLE IIA, are used. Switching between parentmode and native mode may be performed, for example, using a toggleswitch such as control element 288 in FIG. 22B. When wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200, wirelesscommunicator 100 sends enhanced function device 200 a list of userfunctions it supports, such as the various functions indicated in TABLEIIB. Enhanced function device 200 then assigns the functions to buttons,and sends wireless communicator 100 the key assignments.

When wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device200 and the pouched system is running in native mode, the graphic imagedisplayed on display 285, or a portion of the graphic image that isassigned to wireless communicator 100, is generated by wirelesscommunicator 100 and transmitted to enhanced function device 200 fordisplay. When the user presses a button, the button press event is sentto wireless communicator 100, and translated by wireless communicator100 according to the key assignment for that button. If the user pressesa touch screen, then the X-Y coordinates of the press location are sentto wireless communicator 100. In response, wireless communicator 100generates a new graphic image, conforming to the parent look & feelparameters that wireless communicator 100 received from enhancedfunction device 200. The new graphic image is transmitted to enhancedfunction device 200 for display, thus completing a cycle of user inputand screen display in response to the input. Generally, several suchcycles are performed in an interactive session.

When the key assignments distinguish between short and long durationpresses, as in TABLE IIB, enhanced function device 200 performs theanalysis to make the distinction and passes the result (long press orshort press) to wireless communicator 100. In an alternative embodiment,enhanced function device 200 may send the key-press and key-releaseevents to wireless communicator 100, and wireless communicator 100 thendetermines the type of press (long or short) from these events.

4. Parent User Interface Package

Embodiments of the present invention concern a handset body that can bedressed with a variety-of-physical exteriors, visual-presentationcharacteristics and audible presentation characteristics, according to auser's tastes. Each such dressing, referred to herein as a “parent userinterface (UI) package”, is a jacket housing to which wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched, and each such dressing provides a differentall-around look & feel. The parent UI package may include inter alia thephysical appearance of the handset, the visual presentation of thehandset, and the audible presentation of the handset

Generally, a parent UI package has a common theme. For example, a UIpackage may be themed to a celebrity, a TV show, or a soccer team. Theremay be a Barbie Doll UI package, a Harry Potter UI package, a Star WarsUI package, a Microsoft UI package, a Google UI package, etc. Thus a UIpackage for “The Simpson's” may include a yellow colored device withSimpson characters on the front and back, screen savers for Homer,Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson, and ring tones with the Simpson'stheme song or other phrases or sounds related to the Simpson's.

The user interface package of the present invention uses storage 215,embodied as EEPROM, to store data describing the look & feel of ahandset, and a mailbox for communicating with wireless communicator 100when it is pouched with the parent UI package.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 27A and 27B, which are illustrations ofhandset body dressed up in jacket housings 200 with two different parentuser interface packages in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Each housing 200 includes a decorative shell, a decorativedisplay 285 and a decorative keypad 280. Each parent user interfacepackage includes a keypad mapping with buttons assignments, as shown inFIGS. 27A and 27B.

As seen in FIGS. 27A and 27B, a parent UI package includes both physicaland software-related look & feel characteristics. Physical look & feelcharacteristics relate to the exterior of a device, including inter aliaits size, color, shape, weight, and interaction functionality such askeypad, touch screen, mouse and jog dial. Software-related look & feelcharacteristics include inter alia display properties such as screenresolution, background color or template, font properties, menuappearance and screen saver, and audible properties such as ring tonesand dial tones.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouchingcontroller 210 is coupled to display 285 using a display interfacehaving an 8-bit parallel bus, similar to an 8080 or a 6800 controllerbus. Pouching Controller 210 is coupled to input device 280 with ageneral purpose I/O interface that monitors state, or provides matrixscanning functionality, or both. Pouching Controller 210 is connected towireless communicator 100 via pouch connector 260.

EEPROM 215 stores information describing the parent UI package 200,including inter alia

-   -   display resolution, bits per pixel, and word size;    -   display specific initialization sequence and control;    -   keypad matrix size;    -   keypad mapping, such as the button assignments shown in FIGS.        27A and 27B that govern which key is mapped to which combination        in the matrix;    -   preferred screen saver image or images; and    -   customization information for handset menu presentation.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouchingcontroller 210 implements a mailbox that is mapped to SD memory or SDIOmemory, or to I/O space. Wireless communicator 100 and pouchingcontroller 210 communicate via the mailbox. Pouching controller 210notifies wireless communicator 100 that there are pending messages forwireless communicator 100 in the mailbox, by issuing an interrupt usingeither an SDIO defined in-band interrupt mechanism, or by using adedicated line on the pouch connector, in addition to the SD bussignals. Examples of such messages are provided in TABLE III.

TABLE III Messages between wireless communicator and parent UI packageMessage Message Attributes Write buffer Command/Date - identifying ifthis the message is a to display command or data for display Bufferlength - size of buffer to write to display Buffer content Read key Codeof key pressed returned by controller Read EEPROM Offset from start -offset in EEPROM memory space request Number of bytes to read ReadEEPROM Content of EEPROM request provided by controller response

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the samewireless communicator 100 can be connected to various UI packages 200,as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B, each of which presents a different look &feel experience for the user.

In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art willrealize that the present invention applies to other consumer electronicdevices, in addition to wireless communicator 100. Thus the presentinvention applies inter alia to producing theme-based packages,including decorative shells and user interfaces, for portable dataassistants (PDA's), portable media players, digital cameras, camcordersand portable game stations. For each type of consumer electronic device,the parent UI package includes a decorative shell, a decorative displayfor output, a decorative keypad or other such device for input, EEPROM,a controller, and a connector for pouching a modular device. Inaddition, the controller includes a mailbox for communicating viamessages between the controller and the modular device.

5. Bi-Directional Power Control

Embodiments of the present invention relate to power management andcontrol between wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device200. Using special circuitry, each device 100 and 200 is able to turnthe other device on and off, by generating wakeup events at one deviceto power the other device on or off, over a single connection line. Acircuit with a single connection line between wireless communicator 100and enhanced function device 200 enables wireless communicator 100 toturn enhanced function device 200 on and off, and enhanced functiondevice 200 to turn wireless communicator 100 on and off. The circuituses the single connection line for wireless communicator 100 togenerate wakeup events to power enhanced function device 200 on or off,and for enhanced function device 200 to generate wakeup events to powerwireless communicator 100 on or off. A wakeup event is either a buttonpress and release, or a switch being closed and released therebychanging its logical level from 1 to 0 and back to 1.

Reference is now made to FIG. 28, which is a simplified diagram of acircuit 400 that provides bi-directional power control in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 28 iswireless communicator 100 pouched to enhanced function so device 200 viapouch connectors 160 and 260. Also shown in FIG. 28 is wirelesscommunicator modem 120.

Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 arebattery-operated devices, and have their own batteries for power. Powersources for wireless communicator 100 and enhanced is function device200 are designated by VBAT_Comm and VBAT_Enhanced, respectively, incircuit 400. Typical voltage ranges for the batteries are 4.2V for afully charged battery, to 3.2V for a low battery. Circuit 400 uses anoptional voltage level shifter 126 to control the potential voltage gapbetween power sources VBAT_Comm and VBAT_Enhanced. One of the devicebatteries may be full charged at 4.2V, for example, and the other may beat the low range of 3.2V.

Voltage level shifter 126 is powered from VBAT_Comm, and its outputlevel is based on VBAT_Comm. Specifically, logical bit 1 corresponds toan output of VBAT_Comm, and logical bit 0 corresponds to an output levelof zero voltage. Voltage level shifter 126 also manages I/O levels ofwireless communicator 100, which may differ from the level VBAT_Comm.

Circuit 400 includes grounds to protect the I/O units of the two devicesfrom exposure to a high supply voltage, and to protect the devices'power sources from being shorted to one another.

Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 are assumedto have respective power management ICs 160 and 170 that power them onand off when wakeup events occur. Additionally, wireless communicator100 and enhanced function device 200 are physically connected by asingle line that enables each device to generate wakeup events to powerthe other device on and off.

Wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200 are poweredon and off independently; i.e., wireless communicator 100 is able to beturned on when enhanced function device 200 is turned on or off, andenhanced function device 200 is able to be turned on when wirelesscommunicator 100 is turned on or off. Moreover, circuit 400 of FIG. 28enables wireless communicator 100, when it is turned on, to turnenhanced function device 200 on and off; and enables enhanced functiondevice 200, when it is turned on, to turn wireless communicator 100 onand off.

In an embodiment of the present invention, enhanced function device 200includes an internal watchdog timer which is used to turn on wirelesscommunicator 100 after a predefined period of time.

Circuit 100 includes two on/off buttons, 127 and 227, and two on/offswitches, 128 and 229, which cause each of wireless communicator 100 andenhanced function device 200 to power the other on or off. Buttons 127and 227 are physical buttons that can be activated by a user. Switches128 and 228 are electronic switches that are inaccessible to the user.Instead, switches 128 and 228 are controlled by respective controllers120 and 205.

Circuit 400 provides simultaneous and non-simultaneous power on/offcontrol. Use of switch 128 to turn enhanced function device 200 on oroff, does not affect regular operation of wireless communicator 100 and,vice versa, use of switch 228 to turn wireless communicator 100 on oroff, does not affect regular operation of enhanced function device 200.

Specifically, when operating alone, wireless communicator 100 is turnedon and off by button 127. When button 127 is pressed to turn on wirelesscommunicator 100, a wakeup event is detected in its power managementsystem 125. When wireless communicator is pouched to enhanced functiondevice 200, button 127 is generally physically inaccessible, andwireless communicator 100 can only be turned on simultaneously withenhanced function device 200, via switch 128, button 227 or switch 228.

Similarly, when operating alone, enhanced function device is turned onand off by button 227. When button 227 is pressed to turn on enhancedfunction device 200, a wakeup event is detected in its power managementsystem 225. When wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhancedfunction device 200, enhanced function device 200 can be turned onasynchronously by button 227, and can also be turned on synchronouslywith wireless communicator 100, via switch 228.

If enhanced function device 200 is a jacket device, instead of a hostdevice, wireless communicator 100 is turned on and off via switch 228 onenhanced function device 200, which generates a wakeup event for powermanagement system 125.

Power off events are generally reported to modem 120 and enhancedfunction device host controller 205 before each respective device isturned off. In a embodiment of the present innovation When button 227 isused to turn off one or both of wireless communicator 100 and enhancedfunction device 200, button 227 must be pressed for a long press. Thetime duration of a press of button 227 is calculated in software, byhost controller 205, generally via telemetries that host controller 205receives from enhanced function device power management subsystem 225.

Similarly, when wireless communicator 100 is not pouched to enhancedfunction device 200, button 127 is accessible, and may be used to turnwireless communicator 100 on and off. The time duration of a press ofbutton 127 is calculated in software, by modem 120, generally viatelemetries that modem 120 receives from host power management subsystem125.

In an embodiment of the present invention pouching controllers withinboth wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200, areresponsible for performing on/off events instead of modem 120 and powermanagement system 225 and host controller 205.

TABLE IV summarizes an embodiment of the simultaneous andnon-simultaneous power on/off control enabled by button 227, andswitches 127 and 227, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched toenhanced function device 200.

TABLE IV Power on/off control when wireless communicator 100 is pouchedto enhanced function device 200 Before wakeup event After wakeup eventEnhanced device Communicator Enhanced device Communicator (200) State(100) state Wakeup event (200) State (100) state Off Off Button 227pushed On On On Off Switch 228 activated On On Button 227 pushed Off OffOff On Button 227 pushed On On On On Switch 228 activated On Off Button227 pushed Off Off

TABLE IV indicates that when switch 228 is activated to turn offwireless communicator 100, enhanced function device 200 remains on. Insuch case enhanced function device 200 turns itself off in a differentmanner, as appropriate, not using switch 228.

Circuit 400 is designed with grounds to protect the I/O units of the twodevices from exposure to a high supply voltage, and to protect thedevices' power sources from being shorted to one another. Circuit 400uses voltage level shifter 126 to manage the potential voltage gapbetween power sources of the two devices. One of the device batteriesmay be full charged at 4.2V, for example, and the other may be at thelow range of 3.2V. Voltage level-shifter 126 also manages I/O levels ofthe devices, which may differ from the level of VBAT_Comm.

An advantage of circuit 400 is that it uses a single connection linebetween wireless communicator 100 and enhanced function device 200, forcarrying wakeup signals.

In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art willrealize that some power management systems have two input signals forwaking up a device. In such case, the on/off button of a device may beconnected to one of its power management inputs, with the other powermanagement input being used for a remote wakeup signal coming fromanother device.

6. Bi-Directional Battery Charging

Embodiments of the present invention relate to battery supply andbattery charging of wireless communicator 100 and enhanced functiondevice 200. Each device 100 and 200 has its own rechargeable battery andinternal battery charger, and the coupling enables the battery of onedevice to supply power to the other device, and to charge the otherdevice's battery. Using the present invention, optimized logic forcontrolling power supply and battery charging of the pouched devices,provides extended operational time.

The optimized logic decides when to supply battery power from onebattery to the other device, and when to charge one battery from theother, based on the voltages of the two batteries, and based on theoperational modes of the two devices 100 and 200.

The present invention applies generically to a wide variety ofelectronic devices that use single or dual input battery chargers,voltage boosts, and USB chargers to power manage their electricalcomponents.

Referring back to FIG. 6, power management subsystem 125 of wirelesscommunicator 100 includes circuitry for a battery charger, shown aselement 124 in FIGS. 28 and 30. Battery charger 124 includes a powermanagement integrated circuit. In accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, battery charger 124 supports fixed current and fixedvoltage operational modes, and is capable of measuring voltage andcurrent. Battery charger 124 is controlled by modem 120.

Referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, power management subsystem 225 ofenhanced function device 200 includes circuitry for a battery charger,shown as element 224 in FIGS. 28 and 30. In accordance with anembodiment of the present invention, battery charger 224 supports both afixed voltage mode and a fixed current mode. Battery charger 224independently controls internal current and voltage of enhanced functiondevice 200.

Reference is now made to FIG. 29, which is a simplified block diagram ofbi-directional battery charging for a simple enhanced function device200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown inFIG. 29 are wireless communicator modem 120, battery charger 124 andbattery 145. Battery charger 124 is a dual input charger. A first inputis connected to USB connector 155 for a USB charger 156, and a secondinput is connected to the output of a voltage boost 123.

Also shown in FIG. 29 are host controller 205, battery charger 224, andbattery 245. Battery charger 224 is a single input charger, with itsinput connected to USB connector 255 for a USB charger 256.

Pouch connectors 160 and 260 provide signals paths between components ofwireless communicator 100 and components of enhanced function device200. Via pouch connectors 160 and 260, the input of USB charger 266,denoted by Vbus in FIG. 29, is routed to USB charger 166.

Modem 120 is able to track the voltage on battery 245, either bydirectly measuring a battery pin on pouch connector 160, or by receivingnotifications from battery charger 224 via pouch connectors 160 and 260.

In an embodiment of the present invention pouching controllers 110 and210 report the notification to the modem 120.

Voltage boost 123 receives a standard battery voltage as input andgenerates as output a minimal charging voltage of battery charger 124.Typical input to boost 123 is in the range 2.7V-4.2V, and typical outputis 4.7V. When enabled, boost 123 up-converts its input voltage. Whendisabled, boost 123 simply passes its input voltage through to itsoutput, minus any internal voltage drop. Preferably Boost 123 is enabledby modem 120 via an enable signal. The input of boost 123 is connectedto a pin of pouch connecter 160, such that when wireless communicator100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200, boost 123 has a directconnection to battery 245.

In an embodiment of the present innovation boost 123 is not used andbattery 245 is directly connected to battery charger 124 via pouchconnector 160 while wireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhancedfunction device 200.

The system of FIG. 29 applies advantageously to simple enhanced functiondevices 200, which have limited power consumption, lower than athreshold current, typically 500 mA. In such case, battery 145 suppliescurrent to the electronic components of device 200 through pouchconnector 160.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thebi-directional battery charging diagram in FIG. 29 applies to a generalsetting whereby a mobile device can be docked to an accessory device.The present invention may be used advantageously for bi-directionalbattery charging for general electronic devices that includecontrollers, rechargeable batteries, boosts and battery chargers asshown in FIG. 29.

Reference is now made to FIG. 30, which is a summary of bi-directionalbattery charging logic for the hardware of FIG. 29, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. In the notation of FIG. 30wireless communicator 100 is referred to as a standalone (SA) device,and enhanced function device 200 is referred to as a jacket (JKT), intowhich wireless communicator 100 can be pouched.

FIG. 30 is divided into six columns. The first column refers to a stateof the SA battery, and the second column refers to a state of the jacketbattery. Referring to FIG. 30, the following notation is used in thesetwo columns.

-   -   cc is the charging current for the SA battery. cc should conform        to the maximal charging current authorization set by the JKT,        and is typically between 200 mA-500 mA. For example, if the SA        battery has a charge of 500 mAh, charging with a current greater        than 500 mA may be harmful to the battery.    -   JKT is the voltage of the JKT battery.    -   SA is the voltage of the SA battery.    -   STBC is the average standby current of the SA device. STBC is        typically between 5 mA-50 mA.    -   Vc is the voltage drop across the SA boost, the SA battery        charger and the SA battery, when being charged with charge CC.        Vc is typically approximately 0.3V and corresponds to 50%-100%        of the SA battery capacity.    -   Vh is the maximal voltage to which the SA battery is charged        when being charged from the JKT battery. Vh is typically between        3.7V-4V corresponding to approximately 50% capacity of the SA        battery.    -   Vl is the minimal voltage for the SA battery, below which        charging from the JKT is forced. Vl is typically between        3.4V-3.5V corresponding to approximately 10% capacity of the SA        battery.    -   Vm is the minimal voltage for the JKT battery, below which        charging from the SA device is forced. Vm is typically between        3.4V-3.5V corresponding to approximately 10% capacity of the JKT        battery.

The third column in FIG. 30 refers to the mode in which the SA device isoperating. There are three operational modes for the SA device, asfollows:

-   I. High Current Consumption. This mode occurs when the SA device is    active and transmitting between the SA device and a base transceiver    station (BTS). In this mode the SA has a typical current consumption    greater than 100 mA, with peak currents possibly greater than 1 A,    depending on power requirement factors, such as the distance of the    SA device from the BTS. Using the JKT battery to supply the SA    device is undesirable in this mode, due to the high peak currents.    Transfer of such high current over pouch connectors poses difficult    requirements on the quality and current drive of the JKT battery,    boost current and charger current, resulting in increased cost and    size of the hardware. Charging in this mode is limited to fixed    current, since fixed voltage charging draws peak currents from the    JKT, which is undesirable.-   II. Standby Current Consumption. This mode occurs when the SA device    is not communicating with the BTS. In this mode the SA device has a    typical current consumption less than 100 mA, and no peak currents    above 100 mA. Such current levels are suitable for supply from the    JKT battery, and do not impose limitations on charging.-   III. Shutdown. In this mode the SA device is shutdown and has    negligible current consumption.

The fourth column in FIG. 30 refers to the mode of charging thebatteries. There are five charging modes, as follows:

-   I. No Charge. The SA battery supplies all SA current. Efficiency is    high, since no extra conversion is applied. The SA battery is being    depleted during this mode.-   II. Supply from JKT Battery. In this mode, the JKT battery supplies    current. Efficiency is lower than in the No Charge mode, due to    voltage drop on the SA boost and SA charger, but in general this    mode is efficient and preserves power of the SA battery for    standalone operation of the SA device.-   III. Supply from SA and JKT Battery. In this mode, when there are    peaks, the current is drawn from both the SA and the JKT battery.    When there are not peaks, the current is drawn from the JKT battery    alone. Current peaks are prevalent in many wireless communication    systems, including inter alia Global System for Mobile Communication    (GSM), General Packet Radio System (GPRS), Code Division    Multiple-Access (CDMA), and Integrated Digital Enhanced Network    (IDEN). For the GSM system, peaks occur due to time division    multiplexing and are caused by time slots usage.-   IV. Charge from JKT Battery. In this mode the JKT battery charges    the SA battery. This mode is inefficient, in some circumstances    possibly less than 50% efficiency. If the SA boost is enabled, the    efficiency is even lower, by approximately 10%. When the JKT battery    is empty, charging from the JKT battery is disabled.-   V. Charge from SA Battery. In this mode the SA battery charges the    JKT battery. This mode is inefficient, in some circumstances    possibly less than 50% efficiency. If the JKT boost is enabled, the    efficiency is even lower, by approximately 10%.

The fifth column in FIG. 30 refers to enablement of disablement of theSA boost. The sixth column in FIG. 0 refers to the SA charger.

The logic in FIG. 30 is implemented as programming logic for SA and JKTbattery chargers and SA boost, to optimize their operation. The logic inFIG. 30 prescribes columns 4-6 (charging mode, SA boost enablement andSA charger) in terms of columns 1-3 (SA battery voltage, JKT batteryvoltage and SA operational mode). For example, referring to the firsttwo rows in FIG. 30, if JKT>SA>Vh and if the SA device is in StandbyCurrent Consumption mode, then the charging mode is set for the JKTbattery to supply current to the SA device, the SA boost is disabled,and the SA charger is set to fixed voltage level. If instead the SAdevice is in High Current Consumption mode, then the charging mode isset for both the SA and JKT battery to supply current to the SA device,and the SA charger is set to fixed current level. The logic in FIG. 30optimizes usage of the SA and JKT batteries, in order to provideextended operation time for SA device in combination with the JKT, andin standalone mode; and in order to facilitate charging the SA batteryfrom JKT.

Reference is now made to FIG. 31, which is a simplified block diagram ofbi-directional battery charging for a complex enhanced function device200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown inFIG. 31 are controller 105, battery charger 124 and battery 145. Batterycharger 124 has a dual input. A first input is connected to USBconnector 155 for a USB charger 156, and a second input is connected tothe output of voltage boost 123.

Also shown in FIG. 31 are host controller 205, battery charger 224, andbattery 245. Battery charger 224 has a dual input. A first input isconnected to USB connector 255 for a USB charger 256, and a second inputis connected to the output of a voltage boost 223. Battery charger 224is a hardware-based charging controller that controls charging,including constant current charging and constant voltage charging, basedon its input voltage levels and its output HST battery status.

Pouch connectors 160 and 260 provide signals paths between components ofwireless communicator 100 and components of enhanced function device200. Via pouch connectors 160 and 260, the input of USB charger 256,denoted by Vbus in FIG. 31, is routed to USB charger 156.

modem 120 is able to track the voltage on battery 245, either bydirectly measuring a battery pin on pouch connector 160, or by receivingnotifications from battery charger 224 via pouch connectors 160 and 260.

Voltage boosts 123 and 223 receive standard battery voltage as input andgenerate as output a minimal charging voltage of battery charger 124 andbattery charger 224, respectively. Typical inputs to boosts 123 and 223are in the range 2.7V-4.2V, and typical outputs are 4.7V.

When enabled, boosts 123 and 223 up-convert their input voltages. Whendisabled, boost 123 simply passes its input voltage through to itsoutput, minus any internal voltage drops. When disabled, boost 223blocks its input voltage from going out as output.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, controller 205enables and disables battery charger 224, and boost 223 operatessimilarly to boost 123; namely, when disabled, boost 223 passes itsinput voltage through to its output, minus any internal voltage drops.

Boost 123 is enabled by modem 120 via an enable signal. The input ofboost 123 is connected to a pin of pouch connecter 160, such that whenwireless communicator 100 is pouched to enhanced function device 200,boost 123 has a direct connection to battery 245. Similarly, boost 223is enabled by host controller 205 via an enable signal. The input ofboost 223 is connected to a pin of pouch connector 260, such that whenpouched to wireless communicator 100, boost 223 has a direct connectionto battery 245.

In yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention, controller205 enables and disables battery charger 224, and boost 223 iseliminated. Instead of enabling and disabling a voltage boost,controller 205 enables battery charger 224 when charging is desired, anddisables battery charger 224 when charging is not desired.

The system of FIG. 31 applies advantageously to complex enhancedfunction devices 200, which have current consuming components above athreshold current, typically 500 mA. For such devices, it is impracticalto supply their current from battery 145. Such current would require toomuch draw from battery 145, and would be too high for transfer overpouch connectors 160 and 260. Instead, battery 245 supplies current forthe components of enhanced function device 200.

As mentioned above with reference to FIG. 29, it will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that the bi-directional battery chargingdiagram in FIG. 31 applies to a general setting whereby a mobile devicecan be docked to an accessory device. The present invention may be usedadvantageously for bi-directional battery charging for generalelectronic devices that include controllers, rechargeable batteries,boosts and battery chargers as shown in FIG. 31.

Reference is now made to FIG. 32, which is a summary of bi-directionalbattery charging logic for the hardware of FIG. 31, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. As with FIG. 30, in the notationof FIG. 32 wireless communicator 100 is referred to as a standalone (SA)device, and enhanced function device 200 is referred to as a host (HST)device, into which the SA device can be pouched. The notation indicatedabove for FIG. 30 applies to FIG. 32 as well, with HST being used forthe docking device instead of JKT.

The logic in FIG. 32 is implemented as programming logic for SA and HSTbattery chargers to optimize their operation. FIG. 32 uses the same sixcolumns as FIG. 30, with an additional column for indicatingenablement/disablement of the HST charger and boost. The logic in FIG.32 prescribes the settings in columns 4-7 (charging mode, SA boostenablement, SA charger, HST charger and boost) based on the states incolumns 1-3 (SA battery voltage, HST battery voltage and SA operationalmode). For example, referring to the first two rows in FIG. 32, ifHST>SA>Vh and if the SA device is in Standby Current Consumption mode,then the charging mode is set for the HST battery to supply current tothe SA device, the SA boost is disabled, the SA charger is set to fixedvoltage level, and the HST charger and boost are disabled. If insteadthe SA device is in High Current Consumption mode, then the chargingmode is set for both the SA and HST battery to supply current to the SAdevice, and the SA charger is set to fixed current level. The logic inFIG. 32 optimizes usage of the SA and HST batteries, in order to provideextended operation time for SA device in combination with the HST, andin standalone mode; and in order to facilitate charging the SA batteryfrom the HST.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the distinctionof JKT vs HST in the systems of FIGS. 29 and 31 and in the logic ofFIGS. 30 and 32 is merely for the purpose of clarity of exposition. Thesystem and logic of FIGS. 29 and 30 also apply to simple host devices200, in addition to jackets 200; and the system and logic of FIGS. 31and 32 also apply to complex jackets 200, in addition to host devices200. In general, the system and logic of FIGS. 29 and 30 apply todevices (jackets or hosts) with limited power consumption; e.g., lessthan 500 mA; and the system and logic of FIGS. 31 and 32 apply todevices (jackets or hosts) with higher current consumption.

7. Audio and USB Multiplexing

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a switching device thatroutes analog audio signals and digital USB signals for wirelesscommunicator 100 and enhanced function device 200. The switching deviceof the present invention includes circuitry that detects multipleaudio/USB configurations. Regarding audio configurations, the switchingdevice supports left and right audio signals for a headset, for stereospeakers and for an earpiece. Regarding USB, the switching devicesupports connection of a PC or a USB charger to wireless communicator100 operating as a standalone device, and to wireless communicator 100pouched with enhanced function device 200.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with enhanced function device 200, enhancedfunction device 200 provides data regarding its audio configuration towireless communicator 100, the information including inter alia thepresence of mono or stereo speakers, and their gains, and the presenceof earpiece and microphone, and their gains. Wireless communicator 100provides signals to enhanced function device 200 via pouch connector160, the signals including inter alia headset L/R, D+/−, audio L/R andmicrophone (elements L, R, D+/L, D−/R and mic of FIG. 33A).

Considering wireless communicator 100 both as a standalone device, andas a device pouched to enhanced function device 200, twelve audio/USBconfigurations are identified, as summarized in TABLE V.

TABLE V Audio/USB Configurations of Wireless Communicator and EnhancedFunction Device State Audio USB Standalone S1 no audio; no USBconnection Wireless S2 audio via wireless no USB connection Communicatorcommunicator's speakers/earpiece S3 audio via headset attached to no USBconnection wireless communicator S4 no audio charging via wirelesscommunicator USB charger/PC S5 audio via wireless charging via wirelesscommunicator speaker communicator USB charger/PC Pouched J1 no audio noUSB connection Wireless J2 audio via enhanced function no USB connectionCommunicator device speaker J3 audio via enhanced function no USBconnection device earpiece J4 audio via headset attached to no USBconnection enhanced function device J5 no audio charging wirelesscommunicator and enhanced function device via USB charger connected to eenhanced function device J6 audio via jacket's speaker charging wirelesscommunicator and enhanced function device via USB charger connected toenhanced function device J7 audio via headset attached to chargingwireless jacket communicator and enhanced function device via USBcharger connected to enhanced function device

Reference is now made to FIGS. 33A and 33B, which are simplifieddiagrams of a switching circuit 500 that distinguishes between twelveaudio/USB configurations of TABLE V, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. Specifically, the detection methods and controlsettings for supporting the twelve audio/USB configurations of TABLE Vare summarized in TABLE VI.

TABLE VI Control Settings and Detection Methods for Audio/USBConfigurations Wireless Wireless Enhanced Function Enhanced FunctionDetection (Vbus/ Communicator Speaker/ Communicator USB/Audio DeviceSpeaker Device Earpiece Headset/Enhanced Mode Earpiece Amplifier HeadsetAmplifier Switch Amplifier (SPK_EN) Amplifier (EAR_EN) Function Device)S1 Disabled Disabled Audio NA NA No/No/No S2 Enabled Disabled Audio NANA No/No/No S3 Disabled Enabled (G1) Audio NA NA No/Yes/No S4 DisabledDisabled USB NA NA Yes/x/No S5 Enabled Disabled USB NA NA Yes/x/No J1Disabled Disabled Audio Disabled Disabled No/No/Yes J2 Disabled Enabled(G2) Audio Enabled Disabled No/No/Yes J3 Disabled Enabled (G3) AudioDisabled Enabled No/No/Yes J4 Disabled Enabled (G1) Audio DisabledDisabled No/Yes/Yes J5 Disabled Disabled USB Disabled Disabled Yes/x/YesJ6 Disabled Enabled (G2) USB Enabled Disabled Yes/x/Yes J7 DisabledEnabled (G3) USB Disabled Enabled Yes/x/Yes

The values G1, G2 and G3 in TABLE VI denote different gain levels. Theheadset amplifier is set to different gain levels, depending on the typeof speakers it has to drive. Thus a different setting is generallyrequired for headset connection, amplified jacket speakers and amplifiedjacket earpiece.

Circuit 500 includes the following elements shown in FIG. 33A:

-   -   respective D+ and D− signal lines 505 and 510 connecting to        power/audio subsystems 125/130 of wireless communicator 100;    -   a first analog/digital switch 515 connected to D+ signal line        505, for multiplexing an input D+ signal to an output USB data        signal or audio left signal, the multiplexed signal feeding into        pouch connector 160;    -   a second analog/digital switch 520 connected to D− signal line        510, for multiplexing an input D− signal to an output USB data        signal or audio right signal, the multiplexed signal also        feeding into pouch connector 160;    -   a control signal line 525 for controlling the switching between        audio and USB outputs at switches 515 and 520;    -   a headset left signal line 530 connected to power/audio        subsystems 125/130 and to the output audio left signal of        analog/digital switch 515;    -   a headset right signal line 535 connected to power/audio        subsystems 125/130 and to the output audio right signal of        second analog/digital switch 520;    -   a first USB signal line 540 connected to USB connector 155 and        to the output USB data signal of analog/digital switch 515;    -   a second USB signal line 545 connected to USB connector 155 and        to the output USB data signal of analog/digital switch 520;    -   a headset microphone signal line 550 connected to power/audio        subsystems 125/130 and to pouch connector 160;    -   a third USB signal line 555 connected to USB connector 155 and        to headset microphone signal line 550;    -   a headset detection line 560 for detecting connection of a        headset to a headset port; and    -   a USB detection line 565 connected to the power/audio subsystems        125/130 and to USB connector 155, for detecting a USB charger or        a PC attached to USB connector 155.

Circuit 500 also includes an amplifier (not shown) for amplifying theoutput audio left signal and the output audio right signal at gainlevels appropriate for (i) a headset jack 272 connected to enhancedfunction device 200, (ii) left and right speakers 275 and 276 connectedto enhanced function device 200, and (iii) an earpiece 273 connected toenhanced function device 200.

Circuit 500 is designed so that the same detection mechanisms are usedto detect direct connection of a charger to wireless communicationdevice 100 or to enhanced function device 200, and to detect amplifiedenhanced function device speakers or amplified enhanced function deviceearpiece. Generally, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched withenhanced function device 200, access to the wireless communicator'scharger and the wireless communicator's audio connector is physicallyblocked, being covered by enhanced function device 200.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the wirelesscommunicator 100 is in a middle of a phone conversation, and detectsinsertion into pouch of enhanced function device 200, it mutes itsembedded microphone to avoid disturbance on the other participant of thevoice conversation. The microphone is muted until the insertion iscomplete and both pouch connectors 160 and 260 are fully mated, and theadaption to interoperation is complete.

8. SD Bridge Design

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a bi-directional data busthat connects a terminal A with a terminal B. The data bus may be an SDor MMC bridge, wherein terminal A is generally connected to enhancedfunction 200 device and terminal B is connected to wireless communicator100. The bridge of the present invention is capable of determiningsignal direction without the need for external directional signals, andwithout the need for decoding exact content of messages beingtransmitted over the bridge.

In one embodiment, the present invention employs two data buffers, afirst buffer that drives signals in a data bus in a direction from aterminal A to a terminal B, and a second buffer that drives signals inthe opposite direction. The buffers may be in an enabled or disabledstate. When a buffer is enabled, it drives the signal direction.

Special logic is introduced to determine when to enable and disable eachof the buffers, based on logical processing of sampled bits at terminalsA and B.

Reference is now made to FIG. 34, which is a simplified diagram of anelectrical circuit 600 that determines bus direction in bi-directionalSD and MMC signal lines in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. Circuit 600 connects two terminals, A and B, and carriessignals in both directions; i.e., from A to B, and from B to A.

Generally, terminal A connects to enhanced function device 200, which isan SD host, and terminal B connects to wireless communicator 100, whichis an SD slave. In such case, there are multiple bi-directional datalines D0-D3 and CMD. The data lines D0-D3 are synchronized so that theychange their signal directions simultaneously.

The voltages at terminals A and B may be the same, or may be different.To accommodate different voltages at the terminals, circuit 600 includestwo level-shifter buffers, 610 and 615, which drive signals from A to Band from B to A, respectively. Level shifting generates voltage dropsacross the buffers in order to drive the signal direction. Each bufferhas two states; namely, enabled and disabled. When buffer 610 isenabled, signal data is transmitted from A to B, and when buffer 615 isenabled, signal data is transmitted from B to A.

Circuit 600 also includes four data flip flop (DFF) modules; namely,module 620 designated DFF_A, module 625 designated DFF_B, module 630designated DFF_EnAB, and module 635 designated DFF_EnBA. Each DFF modulehas an input value, an output value and a clock value. The output of aDFF module delays the input by one clock count; i.e., a DFF modulecaptures the input signal at the moment of a rising clock edge, when theclock goes high, and subsequent input changes to not influence theoutput until the next rising clock edge.

Modules 630 and 635 are used to enable buffers 610 and 615,respectively. Specifically, when DFF_EnAB.out=0, buffer 610 is enabled,and when DFF_EnAB.out=1, buffer 610 is disabled. Similarly, whenDFF_EnBA.out=0, buffer 615 is enabled, and when DFF_EnBA.out=1, buffer115 is disabled.

Circuit 600 also includes respective by-pass lines 640 and 645, so thatprevious signal values A and B, denoted A_Delayed and B_Delayed,respectively, are accessible, together with current signal values A andB.

Circuit 600 includes four logical processing units, 650, 655, 660 and665. Processing unit 650 has inputs A and A_Delayed; processing unit 655has inputs B and B_Delayed; processing unit 660 has input DFF_EnBA.outin addition to the data coming from processing unit 650 into processingunit 660; and processing unit 665 has input DFF_EnAB.out in addition tothe data coming from processing unit 655 into processing unit 665.Operation of processing units 650, 655, 660 and 665 is described in thediscussion of FIG. 35 hereinbelow.

Circuit 600 includes two pull-up resistors, 670 and 675, pull thecircuit bus up to logical 1 when both sides of the SD or MMC link arenot driving signals.

Reference is now made to FIG. 35, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for determining bus direction in bi-directional SD and MMC signallines in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Specifically, FIG. 35 summarizes a portion of the logic for enabling anddisabling buffers 610 and 615 of FIG. 30.

The rationale for the logic illustrated in FIG. 35 is based on threecharacteristics of SD and MMC buses; namely:

-   -   1. The SD and MMC bus D0-D3 and CMD lines have pull-up resistors        670 and 675 connected thereto, which pull the bus up to logical        1 when both sides of the SD or MMC link are not driving signals.    -   2. Each SD and MMC transaction on the D0-D3 and CMD lines begins        with a start bit of logical 0 and ends with a stop bit of        logical 1.    -   3. Since the SD and MMC buses include direction transition, the        side driving a signal stops driving a bus 2 clock cycles before        the opposite side starts driving the bus.

The logic of FIG. 35 begins at step 1705 where both buffers are set totheir-disabled states. At step 1710 the A and B signal values areinitialized to logical 0. Steps 1715 and 1720 are iterative steps thatsave previous A and B signal values and sample new values.

As seen at steps 1725-1750, when one side of circuit 600, A or B, issampled to have a logical 0 input, circuit 600 enables the buffer in thedirection from that side to the opposite side, and locks the buffer inthe enabled state.

As seen at steps 1755-1775, circuit 600 disables the enabled buffer whentwo consecutive logical 1 bits are detected. The event of detecting twoconsecutive logical 1 bits may represent an end of transaction, or maybe part of a transaction. In the former case, both buffers are disabled,and circuit 600 is ready to detect a next transaction, and switchdirection as required. In the latter case, the SD or MMC bus remains inits correct logical level due to the pull-up resistors. Since theprevious bit was a logical 1, no delay in bus signal stabilization isincurred, due to device and bus capacitance.

In order to avoid potential problems with transient conditions andsynchronization to the SD_CLK signal, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a sampling mechanism that delays transfer of bitsfrom one direction to the other direction by a single clock, asindicated at steps 1720, 1735, 1750, 1770 and 1775 of FIG. 35. Suchdelays are implemented by DFF modules 620, 625, 630 and 635 of FIG. 34,and do not affect proper operation of the SD or MMC bus, sincetransaction starts are determined by start bits, and not based on exacttiming. Internally in a transaction, the delay is fixed and thus nochange to transaction content occurs.

Reference is now made to the Verilog pseudo-code presented herein, whichsummarizes one cycle of the logic for enabling and disabling buffers 610and 615 of FIG. 34. Logical processing units 650 and 660 are used toevaluate the Boolean expression ! (A & A_Delayed) & !DFF_EnBA.out, andlogical processing units 655 and 665 are used to evaluate the Booleanexpression !(B & B_Delayed) & !DFF_EnAB.out.

DFF_A.in = A DFF_A.clk = SD_CLK A_Delayed = DFF_A.out DFF_B.in = BDFF_B.clk = SD_CLK B_Delayed = DFF_B.out BufferAtoB.in = A_Delayed B =BufferAtoB.out BufferBtoA.in = B_Delayed A = BufferBtoA.out DFF_EnAB.in= !(A & A_Delayed) &!DFF_EnBA.out DFF_EnAB.clk = SD_CLKBufferAtoB.enable = DFF_EnAB.out DFF_EnBA.in = !(B & B_Delayed)&!DFF_EnAB.out DFF_EnBA.clk = SD_CLK BufferBtoA.enable = DFF_EnBA.out

The logic of FIG. 35 applies to all bi-directional signals in an SD orMMC bus. However, since the D0-D3 data lines change directionsimultaneously, it is only necessary to apply the logic of FIG. 35 toone of these data lines. The buffer enable/disable signals derived forthe one data line suffices to control the buffers for the other threedata lines.

Reference is now made to FIG. 36, which is a sample simulation of theVerilog code for A and B signals 110010101110111 and 0010111,respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Each column in FIG. 36 represents one clock cycle. As may be seen inFIG. 36, the signal direction goes from A to B, and Out A is a one clockdelay of A, for bits 0010101 and for bits 01. During the time Out A isused, the buffer from A to B is locked (represented by logical 1), andthe buffer from B to A is unlocked (represented by logical 0). Signaldirection goes from B to A, and Out B is a one clock delay of B, forbits 00101. During the time Out B is used, the buffer from B to A islocked, and the buffer from A to B is unlocked.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that althoughdetection of two logical-1 bits triggers circuit 600 to disable theenabled buffer, as indicated in FIGS. 35 and 36, detection of three ormore logical 1 bits may be used instead to trigger the disabling.

It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that circuit600 may be used as a component of a more complex circuit thatselectively connects terminal A with two terminals, B and C, or morethan two terminals. To this end, reference is now made to FIG. 37, whichis a simplified diagram of an electrical circuit 690 that determines busdirection in multiplexed directional SD and MMC signal lines inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Generally,terminal A is connected to a host device, and terminals B and C areconnected to slave devices.

As shown in FIG. 37, circuit 690 includes two sub-circuits, each similarin operation to circuit 600. The elements of one of the sub-circuits arelabeled with numerals 610 b-675 b, and the corresponding elements of theother sub-circuit are labeled with numerals 610 c-675 c. Each of thesub-circuits is bi-directional, with one direction enabled and the otherdirection disabled, at any moment.

Circuit 690 includes a B/C_SELECT signal line 680, for selectingterminal B or terminal C. B/C_SELECT line 680 originates from acontroller for the host device connected to terminal A.

In distinction from logical processing unit 660 of circuit 600, logicalprocessing units 660 b and 660 c have four input lines. For each logicalprocessing unit, two of its input lines carry signals from thesub-circuit in which the processing unit is located, one signal forexamining two previous bits in the enabled direction and the othersignal for examining a bit in the disabled direction. One of its inputlines carries a signal from the other sub-circuit, for examining a bitin the disabled direction; and one of its input lines carries a signalfrom B/C_SELECT line 680. Terminals A, B and C may have the same voltagelevels, or different voltage levels.

9. Automated Consumer Electronic Appliance Reporting

Embodiments of the present invention enable automated generation andsubmission of reports about consumer electronic appliances. The reportsmay include technical information about an appliance, personalinformation about the owner of the appliance, and information describingthe owner's usage of the appliance. According to an embodiment of thepresent invention, generation and submission of reports is enabled bypouching wireless communicator 100 to consumer electronic appliances.

The consumer electronic appliances supported by the present inventionare of many types, including inter alia cameras, media players,computers, home entertainment systems, home appliances, kitchenappliances, and electric tools.

The consumer electronic appliance generally includes storage that storestechnical and usage information about the appliance, and wirelesscommunicator 100 stores information about the owner of the appliance inits storage 115. When pouched with an appliance, wireless communicator100 automatically generates and sends reports about the appliance andabout the owner of the appliance and about the owner's usage behavior,to one or more appropriate recipients, including inter alia sellers andmanufacturers of the appliance, and technical support centers.

Report generation and submission for an appliance may be automaticallyinitiated when one or more pre-designated events involving the applianceoccur, may be scheduled periodically, and may be manually initiatedeither by the owner of the appliance or by a remote recipient of thereport.

Reports may be sent to recipients in the form of SMS messages, MMSmessages, e-mail messages, voice messages, or other such GPRS or IPnetwork messages. In addition, wireless communicator 100 may open voicechannels, thereby enabling owners of appliances to speak directly withrecipients.

The present invention applies to a wide variety of different types ofreports, including inter alia registration of appliances, maintenanceand diagnostic reports, and marketing-based consumer reports.

The present invention also applies to access control security, wherebyan appliance only operates if an authorized wireless communicator 100 ispouched therewith. Moreover, if the appliance is reported as beingmissing or stolen, then it does not operate at all, even if anauthorized wireless communicator 100 is pouched therewith.

Further aspects of the present invention apply to jacket covers forwireless communicator 100. Using the present invention, reports may beautomatically generated and submitted about jackets and their usages.

Wireless communicator 100 operates within a variety of wirelesscommunication networks, including inter alia GSM, CDMA and WiFi. Theseexemplary networks are respectively illustrated in FIGS. 38-40hereinbelow.

Reference is now made to FIG. 38, which is a simplified illustration ofan exemplary GSM communication network 700, within which wirelesscommunicator 100 transmits information about a consumer electronicappliance to remote sites, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Being an embodiment of an enhanced function device,the appliance is denoted as enhanced function device 200 in FIGS. 38-40.

Communication network 700 is a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)network. GPRS is a packet-switched service for the Global System forMobile Communications (GSM), similar to the Internet. GPRS providespacket radio access for mobile GSM users. GPRS also supports WirelessApplication Protocol (WAP) services.

Appliance 200 be any of a wide variety of devices. Appliance 200 may bean entertainment device, including inter alia a home entertainmentcenter, a play station, a multimedia player, a television, an audiosystem and a DVD player. Appliance 200 may be a communication device,including inter alia a telephone, a fax machine and a cell phone.Appliance 200 may be a piece of office equipment including inter alia anoffice computer, and printer and a scanner. Appliance 200 may be a homeappliance including inter alia a refrigerator, a microwave oven, astove, a washing machine, a drying machine, an air conditioner.Appliance 200 may be a personal appliance including inter alia apersonal computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), an automobile, atreadmill and a camera.

Wireless communicator 100 communicates with a base transceiver station(BTS) 715 via an over-the-air interface. Base transceiver stations arecomponents of communication network 700 that terminate the over-the-airinterface, over which subscriber traffic is communicated to and fromwireless communicator 100. Communication network 700 also includes abase station controller (BSC) 720. Base station controllers areswitching modules that provide handoff functions and power level controlin base transceiver stations.

BSC 720 is controlled by a mobile switching center (MSC) 725. MSC 725performs functions of a landline network switching node, includingsearch, signal path switching, and processing of supplementary services.When a request is made for connecting to a subscriber in a landlinenetwork, the request is forwarded by MSC 725 to the landline networkover a switching path.

BSC 720 controls the interface between MSC 725 and BTS 715, and, assuch, controls BTS 715 in call set-up, signaling, and use of radiochannels. BSC 720 also controls the interface between a serving GPRSsupport node (SGSN) 730 and BTS 715.

SGSN 730 services wireless communicator 100 by sending or receivingpackets via a base station subsystem (BSS), and more specifically viaBSC 720, in the context of GSM systems. SGSN 730 is responsible fordelivery of data packets to and from wireless communicator 100, within aservice area. SGSN 730 also performs packet routing and transfer,mobility management, local link management, authentication and chargingfunctions.

In order to accommodate a multitude of services, a provider ofcommunication network 700 stores various types of data. The providermust know which subscribers are using communication network 700, andwhich services the subscribers use. Subscriber profiles, such as theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identify Number (IMSI), of GPRSsubscribers registered with SGSN 730, are stored in a home locationregistry (HLR) 735. The owner of wireless communicator 100 is such aGPRS subscriber.

To determine whether a subscriber is entitled to use communicationnetwork 700, the network provider maintains an authentication center(AUC) 735. Generally, AUC 735 includes algorithms and subscriber-relatedencryption keys, which are used for authentication. AUC 735 determines,inter alia, whether a subscriber has a valid service contract.

The provider of communication network 700 may optionally maintain anequipment identity registry (EIR) 735, which includes details of mobiletransceivers permitted on the network. Generally, EIR 735 stores a“white list”, a “grey list” and a “black list”. The white list includesmobile phones that function reliably, the grey list includes mobilephones that may be defective, and the black list includes mobile phoneswhich are either faulty or have been reported missing or stolen.

In order to establish a connection to a subscriber's mobile phone, thenetwork provider must determine where the subscriber is located andwhether his mobile phone is turned on. Such information is stored in avisitor location registry (VLR) 740.

While GSM forms the underlying technology, SGSN 730 is a network elementintroduced through GPRS technology. HLR/AUC/EIR 735 is also incommunication with a gateway MSC 745, which acts as a gateway to apublic-switched telephone network (PSTN) 750.

Another network element introduced in the GPRS context is the gatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 755, which acts as a gateway to Internet 760and to an external server 765, respectively. External server 765 may beused by a manufacturer of appliance 200, a seller of appliance 200, aservice provider for appliance 200, or a combination of the above.

Reference is now made to FIG. 39, which is a simplified illustration ofan exemplary Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communication network800, within which wireless communicator 100 transmits information aboutappliance 200 to remote sites, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The specific communication network shown in FIG. 39conforms to the CDMA2000 1X standard. Communication network 800 includesseveral components of FIG. 38; namely, wireless communicator 100,appliance 200, base station transceiver 715, base station controller720, mobile switching center 1125, HLR/AUC/EIR 735, VLR 740, gateway MSC745, PSTN 750, Internet 760 and external server 765.

In communication network 800, BSC 720 is in communication with a packetcontrol function (PCF) 805. In turn, PCF 805 is in communication with apacket data serving node (PDSN) 810, which is part of a packet corenetwork (PCN) 815. A packet core network generally includes a successionof interconnected routers, or such other communication nodes, that carryInternet protocol (IP) data traffic.

PDSN 810 provides both mobility management functions, similar to SGSN730, and packet routing functions, similar to GGSN 755. PDSN 810 servesas a connection point between a radio access network and an IP network,and manages point-to-point sessions between a mobile phone and an IPaddress.

PCF 805 provides a relay from PDSN 810 to a mobile phone. PCF 805 tracksregistration expiration, and ensure that sessions are renewed asnecessary. PCF 805 also controls available radio resources, and buffersdata received from PDSN 810 when radio resources are not available. PCF805 also controls dormancy.

PCN 815 also includes a home agent (HA) 820. Generally, HA 820 managesroaming and handoff of mobile data. HA 820 is used for registration of amobile IP (MIP), and transfer of mobile packet data in PDSN 810. Throughtunneling, HA 820 transfers MIP data from a home network to PDSN 810,and from PDSN 810 to the home network through a reverse tunnel.

PCN 815 also includes an authentication, authorization and accounting(AAA) server 825. Generally, AAA server 825 is responsible for accesscontrol. AAA server 825 processes user requests for access to computerresources and, for enterprises, provides authentication, authorizationand accounting services. Authentication is used to identify subscribers.Authorization is used to manage policies and service profiles thatgovern which resources and services a subscriber may access, and tomanage and distribute security keys. Accounting services track usage oftime and data resources, and manage billing. AAA server 825 interactswith network access and gateway servers, and with databases anddirectories containing user information.

In communication network 800, MSC 725 is in communication with aninterworking function (IWF) 830. An interworking function provides aninterface between wireless data networks and data packet networks suchas Internet 760 or corporate intranets, and also between wireless datanetworks and wireline networks such as PSTN 750. The interworkingfunction converts and sends data to a data packet network or a wirelinenetwork, based on the data type. Generally, IWF 830 includes modems ordata terminal adapters, or both, to convert data transmitted over awireless network to a format suitable for recognition and carrying by apublic telecommunications network.

Reference is now made to FIG. 40, which is a simplified illustration ofan exemplary IEEE 802.11b WiFi communication network 900, within whichwireless communicator 100 transmits information about appliance 200 toremote sites, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.Communication network 900 includes several components of FIGS. 38 and39; namely, wireless communicator 100, appliance 200, Internet 760 andexternal server 765.

A wireless router 905 communicates with a modem 910, and modem 910 sendsand receives data to and from Internet 760.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although FIGS.38-40 illustrate operation of wireless communicator 100 in GSM network700, CDMA network 800 and WiFi network 900, the present inventionapplies to other current and future technologies, including inter aliapacket-switched and circuit-switched technologies, and 3G technologies.

Referring back to FIG. 6, storage 115 includes information about theowner of appliance 200, such as information INF-3 listed below in TABLEV. Information INF-3 may include inter alia subscriber identificationmodule (SIM) information for wireless communicator 100.

Similarly, referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, storage 215 includestechnical and usage information about appliance 200, such as informationINF-1 listed below in TABLE VII.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wirelesscommunicator 100 and appliance 200 communicate with one another via apair of mailboxes within wireless communicator 100. Specifically,pouching controller 110 includes two mailboxes, an outgoing mailbox thatis written to by base band modem 120 and read from by appliance 200, andan incoming mailbox that is written to by appliance 200 and read from bybase band modem 120. Pouching controller 110 initiates an interrupt topouching controller 210 when base band modem 120 completes a writeoperation to the wireless communicator's outgoing mailbox. Suchinterrupt may be implemented as an SDIO interrupt on an SD bus, or as adedicated signal. Similarly, pouching controller 210 initiates aninterrupt to base band modem 120 when appliance 200 completes a writeoperation to the wireless communicator's incoming mailbox.

It will thus be appreciated by those skilled in the art that wirelesscommunicator's incoming and outpoint mailboxes may be used for directtransfer of data between wireless communicator 100 and appliance 200. Inone embodiment of the present invention, each mailbox includes 512bytes, of which the first two bytes are header bytes that store amessage type, and the remaining bytes store the message itself.

Wireless communicator's incoming and outgoing mailboxes may be mapped toan SDIO register map on the modem side and on the appliance side,respectively. Alternatively, wireless communicator's incoming andoutgoing mailboxes may be mapped to SD memory space. In such case anarbitration algorithm is used to resolve conflicts when both appliance200 and wireless communicator 100 try to access SD storage at the sametime.

Reference is now made to FIG. 41, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for automated reporting for appliance 200, using wirelesscommunicator 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. At step 3705, a manufacturer of appliance 200 storesinformation about the appliance, designated by INF-1, and contactinformation for a recipient, designated by INF-2, in appliance 200storage 215.

At step 1810, a consumer purchases appliance 200. At step 1815, theconsumer attaches wireless communicator 100 to appliance 200. Whenwireless communicator 100 is attached to appliance 200, wirelesscommunicator 100 collects and monitors real-time information related tooperation and usage of appliance 200. In an embodiment of the presentinvention, wireless communicator 100 stores details about the user,designated by INF-3, in its local storage 115.

In an embodiment of the present invention; INF-3 may be stored in SIM190.

At step 1820, wireless communicator 100, wishing to receive applianceinformation INF-1 and recipient contact information INF-2 from appliance200, writes an information request to the to wireless communicator'soutgoing mailbox. At step 1825 pouching controller 110 raises aninterrupt to appliance 200. At step 1830 host appliance 200 reads therequest message, and at step 1835 host appliance 200 writes therequested information INF-1 and INF-2 to the wireless communicator'sincoming mailbox.

At step 1840 pouching controller 210, in turn, raises an interrupt tobaseband modem 120, and at step 1845 wireless communicator 100 reads therequested information INF-1 and INF-2.

At step 1850 wireless communicator 100 prepares an appropriate reportfor recipient 765, based on INF-1 and INF-3. At step 1855 wirelesscommunicator 100 sends the report to recipient 765 at the recipient'saddress as specified in INF-2.

The report may be sent to recipient 765 in the form of an SMS message,an MMS message, a voice message, a GPRS message, or such other messagetransmitted by wireless communicator 100. Alternatively or in addition,the report may be transmitted as an e-mail message over an IP oralternate network. The report may be transmitted over a GDSM network, asin FIG. 38, over a CDMA network as in FIG. 39, over a WiFi network as inFIG. 40, or via WIMAX communication.

Steps 1815-1855 of FIG. 41 are summarized in the following simplifiedpseudo-code.

//declarations for variables OWNER DETAILS = {NAME, CONTACT_INFO};HOST_DETAILS = {HOST_TYPE, MODEL_NUM, SERIAL_NUMBER, MANUFACTURER,RECIPIENT_NUMBER}; IF (IS_CC_INSERTED) { // step 1815CC_MAILBOX_WRITE(“INFO REQUEST”}; // step 1820 INTERRUPT_HOST( ); //step 1825 HOST_MAILBOX_READ_MAILBOX ( ); // step 1830HOST_MAILBOX_WRITE(HOST_DETAILS); // step 1835 INTERRUPT_CC( ); // step1840 CC_MAILBOX_READ(HOST_DETAILS); // step 1845 MESSAGE =PREPARE_MESSAGE(OWNER_DETAILS, HOST_DETAILS); // step 1850SEND_TO_RECIPIENT(RECIPIENT_NUMBER, MESSAGE); // step 1855 }

TABLE VII summarizes exemplary information data that is accessed bywireless communicator 100 in performing the method of FIG. 41.

TABLE VII Exemplary information accessed by wireless communicator 100for automated reporting of appliance 200 or of the communicator's jacket200 INF-1: Appliance information/ INF-2: Recipient INF-1: Communicatorjacket information contact information INF-3: Owner informationManufacturer Phone number ID Type of appliance E-mail Membership numberModel Number IP address Full name Serial Number Address SKU Phone numberDate of purchase Cell phone number Point of purchase E-mailCapabilities - screen type Web site Capabilities - screen size SIMsubscriber information Capabilities - user interface Usage-relatedinformation

Generally, appliance information, INF-1, is controlled by themanufacturer or seller of the appliance, and is stored in the applianceitself. Appliance information, INF-1, may be updated by the manufactureror seller up to the time when the appliance is sold. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, some or all of applianceinformation, INF-1, may be manually entered. Such information may beattached to or printed on the appliance, for reference.

Generally, owner information, INF-3, is controlled by the owner ofappliance 200, and is stored in wireless communicator 100.Alternatively, some or all of owner information, INF-3, may beaccessible on a network such as the Internet. In such case, wirelesscommunicator 100 accesses the owner information from the network, priorto sending the report to recipient 765 at step 1850. In anotherembodiment of the present invention, some or all of owner information,INF-3, may be manually entered.

The usage-related information listed in TABLE VII may include a varietyof present and past usage information. Such usage-related informationincludes inter alia,

-   -   wireless communicator insertion time;    -   wireless communicator extraction time;    -   battery status of the appliance;    -   battery status of the wireless communicator;    -   memory status of the appliance;    -   memory status of the wireless communicator;    -   geographical movement of the appliance;    -   mode of the appliance (e.g., silent, flight mode, meeting mode)    -   accessories connected to the appliance (e.g., earphones,        speaker, charger);    -   accessories connected to the wireless communicator (e.g., PC);    -   software installed on the appliance (e.g., drivers, operation        system, applications, codecs);    -   software and firmware versions on the appliance;    -   file types in memory of the appliance (e.g., audio, video,        documents); and    -   file types in memory of the wireless communicator.

For purposes of illustration, the following is an exemplary simplifiedreport that is submitted by wireless communicator 100 to recipient 765at step 1855.

Device Details Type: Digital Camera Manufacturer: Olympus Model: C-765SKU: 12345-ABCDE Additional Information (report specific) Owner DetailsName: Jack Times Phone: 123-456-7890 Cell Phone: 987-654-3210 E-mail:Jack.Times@mailserver.com

Reporting step 1855 may be performed either while wireless communicator100 is pouched with appliance 200, or while wireless communicator 100 isnot pouched with appliance 200, or both. When wireless communicator 100is pouched with appliance 200, automated reporting may be event driven.Events that may initiative the reporting include inter alia

-   -   Attachment of the wireless communicator to the appliance    -   Detachment of the wireless communicator from the appliance    -   Performing a device-specific function, e.g., begin listening to        a song on an audio player    -   Appliance is turned on    -   Appliance is turned off    -   Wireless Communicator is pouched with the appliance for the        first time

Wireless communicator 100 may generate and save a usage history log inthe wireless communicator storage 115 or in the appliance storage 215.Wireless communicator 100 may generate and save a history log for aplurality of appliances. Information from the history log can be sentperiodically to the recipient, such as daily or weekly.

Reporting step 1855 may be performed in real-time, or at a later timevia a PC or via GPRS. Reporting step 1855 may be initiated by the ownerof appliance 200. For example, the owner may initiate generating areport and submitting the report to a service provider, if appliance 200is malfunctioning.

Reporting step 1855 may be initiated by software or firmware running onappliance 200 or on wireless communicator 100. Such software or firmwareinitiated reporting may occur as a one-time event, or as a recurringevent.

Reporting step 1855 may be initiated remotely over a network. Forexample, recipient 765 may initiate generating a report and submittingit to the recipient.

Alternatively or in addition to step 1855, wireless communicator 100 mayopen a voice channel for the user of appliance 200 and the recipient tospeak with one another, or to leave voice messages for one another.Thus, when wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200 forthe first time, the owner of appliance 200 and the recipient may beconnected via a voice channel. The recipient may thereby introduce theowner to operation of appliance 200, assist the owner in configuringappliance 200, and offer the owner of CE appliance 200 a tutorial. Inaddition, incoming voice messages may be saved in a voice mailbox withinwireless communicator 100.

As described hereinabove, wireless communicator 100 may have one or morejackets 200. In an embodiment of the present invention, distinct jackets200 of wireless communicator 100 have distinct identification codes. Theidentification code of a jacket 200 may include some or all ofinformation, INF-1. In this embodiment, the jacket identification codemay be reported to the recipient at step 1855.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, reportingstep 1855 may advantageously use a user-agent header, which prefacestransmissions from wireless communicator 100. User-agent headers aretext strings that are transmitted by a device, such as wirelesscommunicator 100, via an HTTP header, to identify the device that issending data. User-agent headers generally include a wireless devicemodel and manufacturer. User-agent headers may also include additionalinformation such as the device's operation system version, browserversion and Java capabilities. Examples of user-agent headers are:

Nokia 6230

User-Agent: Nokia6230/2.0 (03.14) Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1

Sony Ericsson Z1010 User-Agent: SonyEricssonZ1010/R1A SEMC-Browser/4.0Modu User-Agent: Modu-A1.0/SKY Browser 1.1/Music

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, user-agentheaders are modified according to capabilities of appliance 200, so thatrecipient 765 may identify content and services that appliance 200supports. User-agent headers are also modified according to propertiesof the wireless communicator's jacket, so that recipient 765 mayidentify the jacket. The user-agent headers are modified in the HTTPheader upon pouching of wireless communicator 100 with appliance 200, orupon pouching of wireless communicator 100 with its jacket.

Wireless communicator 100 also uses a user-agent profile (UAProf).Specifically, wireless communicator 100 sends a universal resourceidentifier (URI) with a link to its UAProf, within an HTTP header or aWeb Service Provider (WSP) header. The UAProf resides on themanufacturer's web site—either the manufacturer of wireless communicator100 or the manufacturer of appliance 200 or the manufacturer of jacket200. The UAProf is maintained by the manufacturer, and is unique percommunicator/appliance combination and per communicator/jacketcombination and per software version. The URI is updated when a UAProfparameter value is changed.

The system and method of the present invention illustrated in FIGS.38-41 may be used advantageously in many application areas whereautomated reporting is useful, including inter alia:

-   -   medical reports;    -   police reports;    -   insurance reports;    -   driver and automobile safety reports;    -   taxi cab reports;    -   credit card reports;    -   ATM card reports;    -   registration of CE devices;    -   diagnostics and maintenance;    -   software/firmware updates;    -   warranties and guarantees;    -   access control security;    -   offer of services;    -   time-stamping;    -   advertising;    -   market segmentation;    -   understanding user behavior; and    -   networking.

The present invention is advantageous for automated registration,diagnostic testing and malfunction reporting for electrical appliances.In an embodiment of the present invention, when wireless communicator100 is pouched with a new appliance, wireless communicator 100automatically collects information about the appliance and its owner,and transmits the collected information to a remote manufacturer orseller for registering the appliance.

Wireless communicator 100 also includes program code for diagnostictesting of the appliance. When wireless communicator 100 is pouched withthe appliance, the program code runs diagnostic maintenance tests on theappliance. Wireless communicator 100 automatically collects informationabout the appliance and its owner, and transmits the collectedinformation along with a diagnostic report, to the seller or serviceprovider for the appliance. In turn, if a malfunction is reported, theseller or service provider contacts the owner about repairing theappliance. In this way, the seller or service provider is able tomaintain the appliance, and proactively repair appliance malfunctionsbefore they become severe.

Reference is now made to FIG. 42, which is a simplified illustration ofa communications network with wireless communicator 100 that wirelesslytransmits registration information about appliance 200 to one or both ofa remote manufacturer and a remote seller 300 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. When wireless communicator 100 ispouched with appliance 200, wireless communicator 100 automaticallyregisters appliance 200 by transmitting appropriate information 310about the appliance, its purchase, and its owner to remote manufactureror a seller 300.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention, storage 115 stores information about the owner ofappliance 200, and appliance registration program code for registeringappliance 200. Similarly, referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, storage 215stores information about appliance 200 and its purchase. Such detailsmay include inter alia a serial number for appliance 200, a modelnumber, a date of purchase and an identifier for the store whereappliance 200 was purchased.

Wireless communicator 100 is used to send registration information aboutappliance 200 and its owner to one or more of manufacturer and seller300.

When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200, appliance200 serves as an enhanced function host device. To register appliance200, the appliance registration program code programs wirelesscommunicator 100 (i) to collect requisite appliance and purchaseinformation from the appliance storage 215, and owner information fromthe wireless communicator storage 115 or SIM 190; and (ii) to forwardthe collected information to the seller or to the manufacturer 300, asappropriate, using modem 120. Contact information for seller ormanufacturer 300 may be available in the appliance storage 215.Alternatively, contact information for seller or manufacturer 300 may beentered manually to wireless communicator 100. Yet alternatively,contact information for seller or manufacturer 300 contact informationmay be available in wireless communicator storage 115. Specifically,wireless communicator 100 may store a list of manufacturers and theirappliances, and looks up the appropriate contact information based onappliance 200.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, owner informationdoes not reside in wireless communicator storage 115 or SIM 190.Instead, wireless communicator 100 obtains the owner information from anexternal server.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, connectionto the seller or manufacturer 300 is initiated by wireless communicator100, and transmitted over GPRS (GSM mobile data service). Wirelesscommunicator 100 creates a file or text message that includes therelevant registration data, shown as message 310 in FIG. 42. An exampleof such file or text message is as follows.

Device details Type: Audio Receiver Brand: Yamaha Model: RX-V2700 S/N:12345-ABCDE Purchase Details Date of Purchase: 01/01/2007 Store: 1280Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10028 Owner Details Name: John Smith Phone:123-456-7890 Cell: 098-765-4321 Email: John.Smith@anonymous.com

In another embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator100 transmits the registration information via an SMS or MMS message. Inyet another embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator100 places a voice call to the seller or manufacturer 300 with theinformation indicated in the text above, using text-to-speechconversion.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention, owner information isnot stored in wireless communicator 100. Instead, owner information isretrieved by the seller and manufacturer 300 after receipt ofregistration data sent from wireless communicator 100. Alternatively oradditionally, owner information, together with an optional owner loghistory, is stored within appliance 200 itself.

After wireless communicator 100 has registered appliance 200, acorresponding flag is set in wireless communicator storage 115 orappliance memory 215. Thereafter, when wireless communicator 100 ispouched with appliance 200 it knows not to register appliance 200 asecond time.

Reference is now made to FIG. 43, which is a simplified illustration ofa communications network with wireless communicator 100 that wirelesslytransmits diagnostic information about appliance 200 to one or more of aremote seller, a remote manufacturer and a remote service provider 300in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. When wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200, wireless communicator100 (i) automatically runs diagnostic tests on appliance 200, and (ii)automatically prepares diagnostic summary reports 320 for appliance 200and transmits them to remote seller, manufacturer or service provider300 for the appliance.

Referring back to FIG. 6, in an embodiment of the present invention thewireless communicator storage 115 stores information about the owner ofwireless communicator 100, and also store application diagnostic programcode for reporting diagnostics of appliance 200, as describedhereinbelow. Similarly, referring back to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the appliancestorage 215 stores information about appliance 200 and its purchase.Such details may include inter alia a serial number for appliance 200, amodel number, a software/firmware version, a date of purchase and anidentifier for the store where appliance 200 was purchased.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,electrical appliance 200 includes sensors for use in diagnostics. Asensor is a type of transducer which converts a signal into a readingfor the purpose of information transfer. There are direct-indicatingsensors which are human-readable, e.g., a mercury thermometer. Othersensors that may be embedded in an electrical appliance are sensors thatproduce an output voltage or such other electrical output which isinterpreted by another device. Most sensors are electrical orelectronic, although other types exist. Sensors used in diagnostics ofappliance 200 in accordance with the present invention include interalia thermal sensors, electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors,chemical sensors, optical radiation sensors, ionizing radiation sensorsand acoustic sensors.

Wireless communicator 100 is used to send information about electricalappliance 200 and its owner to one or more of seller, manufacturer andservice provider 300. The information sent by wireless communicator 100includes diagnostic reports for appliance 200.

When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with appliance 200, appliance200 serves as an enhanced function host device. For maintenance andrepair of appliance 200, the appliance diagnostic program code programswireless communicator 100 (i) to run diagnostic tests on appliance 200;and (ii) to forward the test results to seller, to manufacturer orservice provider 300 for appliance 200, as appropriate, using modem 120.As above, wireless communicator 100 creates a file or text message thatincludes the relevant diagnostic monitoring data, shown as servicereport 320 in FIG. 43. An example of such file or text message is asfollows.

Device details Type: Audio Receiver Brand: Yamaha Model: RX-V2700 S/N:12345-ABCDE Problem Diagnosed Description: Over-heating Owner DetailsName: John Smith Phone: 123-456-7890 Cell: 098-765-4321 Email:John.Smith@anonymous.com

In another embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator100 transmits the service report using an SMS or MMS message. In yetanother embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator 100places a voice call to seller, manufacturer or service provider 300 withthe information indicated in the text above, using text-to-speechconversion.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, diagnostictests may be scheduled periodically, or initiated manually by the owner,or initiated remotely via wireless communicator 100.

Reference is now made to FIG. 44, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for registering electrical appliances using wireless communicator100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step1910 a buyer purchases an electronic appliance, which serves as a hostdevice, such as appliance 200 of FIG. 42. At step 1920 the buyer poucheswireless communicator 100 with the appliance 200. At step 1930 thewireless communicator pouching controller 110 recognizes its beingpouched to appliance 200.

At step 1940 pouching controller 110, under program instruction fromcode stored on wireless communicator 100, such as the applianceregistration program code, collects appliance information and purchaseinformation from the appliance storage 215. Such appliance and purchaseinformation includes inter alia a serial number, a model number, a dateof purchase, and an identifier of a store where the appliance waspurchased. At step 1950 pouching controller 110 collects informationabout the owner from wireless communicator storage 115 or SIM 190. Atstep 1960 pouching controller 110 collects contact information for theseller or manufacturer of appliance 200, with whom the appliance is tobe registered. Such contact information may be stored in appliance 200,or may be manually entered. Finally, at step 1970 wireless communicator100 opens a connection to the seller or manufacturer, and transmits theregistration information. Wireless communicator 100 may transmit theregistration information as data transmitted over GPRS. Alternatively,wireless communicator 100 may transmit the information as a voicetransmission by making a phone call to the seller or manufacturer.

Reference is now made to FIG. 45, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for reporting diagnostics for electrical appliances usingwireless communicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. At step 2010 a consumer inserts wireless communicator100 into appliance 200, which serves as an enhanced function host devicefor wireless communicator 100. At step 2020 wireless communicator 100monitors appliance 200 by running diagnostic testing program code thatis stored in the wireless communicator storage. At step 2030 adetermination is made whether a problem has been detected. If not, themethod returns to step 2020 to continue monitoring appliance 200 whilewireless communicator 100 is pouched therewith. Such monitoring may becontinuous monitoring or scheduled periodic monitoring.

Referring back to step 2030, if a problem is detected, then at step 2040the wireless communicator pouching controller 110 collects applianceinformation that is stored in appliance storage 215. Such informationincludes inter alia an appliance serial number and a model number.Pouching controller 110 also identifies a malfunction type correspondingto the detected problem. At step 2050 pouching controller 110 collectsowner data that is stored in wireless communicator storage 115. At step2060 pouching controller 110 collects contact information for theseller, manufacturer or service provider of appliance 200. At step 2070wireless communicator 100 contacts the seller, manufacturer or serviceprovider and transmits an alert notification regarding the malfunction.Finally, at step 2080 the seller, manufacturer or service providercontacts the owner of appliance 200 regarding the malfunction.

The present invention is advantageous for updating software andfirmware. The generated report may include identifiers of versions ofsoftware and firmware for an enhanced function device, in response towhich appropriate updated versions are remotely accessed. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, wireless communicator 100maintains a history log of the various enhanced function devices it waspouched with. The history log includes the enhanced function devices'current installed software and firmware versions. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, specific settings that were last defined ormodified for the enhanced function devices are kept in a log file. Whenwireless communicator 100 reports its history log, appropriatesoftware/firmware updates are made accessible for wireless communicator100 to download. After downloading the updates, when wirelesscommunicator 100 is subsequently pouched with one of the enhancedfunction devices in its history log, the software/firmware in theseenhanced function devices is updated as appropriate. The updatedsoftware/firmware may be installed automatically when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with an enhanced function device, or may beprompted manually by a user.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the settings forthe enhanced function devices are restored on the enhanced functiondevice from the log file on the wireless communicator when wirelesscommunicator 100 is subsequently pouched with any of the enhancedfunction devices.

Reference is now made to FIG. 46, which is a simplified flow chart of amethod for provisioning software and firmware updates to a plurality ofjackets and appliances using the wireless communicator in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. At step 2110 wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched in a plurality of jackets and appliancesover time. At step 2120 wireless communicator collects informationrelating to the plurality of jackets and appliances over time, thecollected information including versions of installed software/firmwareand last defined or modified settings for the jackets and appliances.

At step 2130 wireless communicator 100 maintains a history log of thecollected information. At step 2140, wireless communicator 100 isconnected to a PC, and the PC reports the history log to one or moreremote update servers. At step 2150 the remote update servers transmitnew versions of software/firmware to wireless communicator, asappropriate for the plurality of jackets and appliances. At step 2160,upon subsequent pouching of wireless communicator 100 to any of theplurality of jackets and appliances, the updated versions ofsoftware/firmware are installed on the jacket or appliance.

10. SD Switch Box in the Wireless Communicator

Embodiments of the present invention enable the wireless communicatorbaseband modem 120 to bypass NOR flash memory when booting up, enablecommunication between baseband modem 120 and an enhanced function hostdevice 200, and enable baseband modem 120 to switch in and out of sleepmode without loss of state parameters and code image.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, pouchingcontroller 110 is used to couple enhanced function host device 200 withthe wireless communicator's baseband modem 120 and with the wirelesscommunicator's storage 115 embodied as NAND flash memory. Pouchingcontroller 110 serves as an SD switch box, which connects two SDdevices, namely, the baseband modem 120 and enhanced function hostdevice 200, and enables switching access to SD storage between the twoSD devices.

In an embodiment of the present invention, while pouching controller 110operates as an SD switch, it is used for allowing two SD hosts embeddedwithin the same housing to access the SD storage. Pouching controller110 thus enables use of a single storage area accessible by multiplecontrollers in the same housing, such as modem 120 and an optionalapplication processor. Similarly, pouching controller 110 enables use ofa single storage area accessible by modem 120 and external controller205.

Pouching controller 110 includes a communication mechanism through whichbaseband modem 120 and enhanced function host device 200 communicatewith one another. Such communication mechanism includes an outgoingcommunicator mailbox via which baseband modem 120 sends a message toenhanced function host device 200, and an incoming communicator mailboxvia which enhanced function host device 200 sends a message to basebandmodern 120.

The two mailboxes are used to resolve conflicts when both enhancedfunction host device 200 and the baseband modem 120 want to access SDmemory at the same time. Baseband modem 120 sends an access requestmessage to enhanced function host device 200 via the outgoing mailbox,and enhanced function host device 200 responds by sending an accessgranted message to baseband modem 120 via the incoming mailbox.

Pouching controller 110 is used to couple enhanced function host device200 with baseband modem 120. When enhanced function host device 200 andbaseband modem 120 are coupled, they share use of the wirelesscommunicator's NAND flash memory 115. Pouching controller 110 serves asan SD switch box, which connects two SD devices, namely, baseband modem120 and enhanced function host device 200, and enables switching accessto SD storage between the two SD devices.

Reference is now made to FIG. 47, which is a simplified block diagram ofwireless communicator 100 with pouching controller 110 in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator100 includes baseband modem 120, pouching controller 110, a NANDcontroller 102 a, and NAND flash memory 115.

Pouching controller 110 is connected to baseband modem 120 via both aUART port 106 and a baseband SD host port 107. Correspondingly, modem120 includes a UART interface 161 and an SD interface 162, respectively.

Pouching controller 110 is connected to SD NAND controller 102 a via anSD port 108. During normal operation, baseband modem 120 accesses flashmemory 115 via SD port 108.

Pouching controller 110 also includes pouched connector 160 for pouchingwireless communicator 100 to enhanced function host device 200, whichsupports SD connections. When wireless communicator 100 is pouched withenhanced function host device 200, enhanced function host device 200accesses NAND flash memory 115 via pouching controller 110. It is notedthat access to NAND flash memory 115 is not required to pass throughbase band modem 120. As such, baseband modem 120 may be in sleep mode orshutdown mode during operations between enhanced function host device200 and NAND flash memory 115.

For memory storage, wireless communicator 100 also includes an internalSRAM memory 163, and an external memory interface (EMIF) 164 connectedto an SDRAM memory 166.

Reference is now made to FIG. 48, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for booting the wireless communicator's baseband modem 120, andfor performing subsequent operations in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. At step 2210 the baseband modem is booted inperipheral mode. In general, when a baseband modem is booted inperipheral mode, the internal ROM code in the modem looks for code thatis input via a peripheral interface, including inter alia a UART or aUSB interface. The base band modem retrieves such code and transfers itto internal SRAM 163, and then transfers control to SRAM 163.

At step 2220 pouching controller 110 reads a secondary boot code imagefrom NAND flash 115, via NAND controller 102 a. At step 2230 pouchingcontroller 110 loads the secondary boot code image via its UART port 106to baseband modem 120.

At step 2240 a boot loader of baseband modem 120 loads the secondaryboot code to internal SRAM 163, and begins executing the secondary bootcode. At step 2250 the executing code loads the full code image fromNAND flash 115 via the pouching controller's SD port 108, to internalSRAM 123 or to external SDRAM 166, or to both. At step 2260, duringoperation, baseband modem 120 accesses NAND flash 115 via the pouchingcontroller's SD port 108, as a standard SD memory card.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, basebandmodem 120 communicates with enhanced function host device 200 via itscontroller 260, using mailboxes implemented in pouching controller 110.Specifically, pouching controller 110 includes two mailboxes, anoutgoing communicator mailbox 117 that is written to by baseband modem120 and read from by enhanced function host device 200, and an incomingcommunicator mailbox 118 that is written to by enhanced function hostdevice 200 and read from by baseband modem 120. Pouching controller 110initiates an interrupt to enhanced function device pouching controller210 when modem 120 completes a write operation to mailbox 117. Suchinterrupt may be implemented as an SDIO interrupt on an SD bus, or as adedicated signal. Similarly, enhanced function device pouchingcontroller 210 initiates an interrupt to baseband modem 120 whenenhanced function host device 200 completes a write operation to mailbox118.

It will thus be, appreciated by those skilled in the art that mailboxes117 and 118 may be used for direct transfer of data between basebandmodem 120 and enhanced function host device 200. In one embodiment ofthe present invention, each mailbox 117 and 118 includes 512 bytes, ofwhich the first two bytes are header bytes that store a message type,and the remaining bytes store the message itself.

Mailboxes 117 and 118 may be mapped to an SDIO register map on the baseband modem side and on the enhanced function host device side.Alternatively, mailboxes 117 and 118 may be mapped to SD memory space.In such case an arbitration algorithm is used to resolve conflicts whenboth enhanced function host device 200 and baseband modem 120 try toaccess SD storage at the same time.

Reference is now made to FIG. 49, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for communicating between enhanced function host device 200 andthe wireless communicator's baseband modem 120, and accessing SD storage115 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step2310, base band modem 120 requests access to SD storage 115 fromenhanced function host device 200, by writing an access request messageto mailbox 117. At step 2320 pouching controller 110 issues an interruptto enhanced function host device 200, to notify enhanced function hostdevice 200 of the message that was written. At step 2330 enhancedfunction host device 200 reads the message from mailbox 117.

At step 2340 enhanced function host device 200 grants the storage accessrequest by writing an access granted message to mailbox 118. The writeoperation at step 2340 is performed as a multiple block write operation.Multi-block writes are described in the SD specification, Part I:Physical Layer, Simplified Specification Version 2.00, Sep. 25, 2006.

At step 2340, the first block of the multi-block write includes thegrant of access message, and the rest of the blocks are dummy blocksthat are filled with zeros. At step 2350 pouching controller 110recognizes the first block of the message as a grant of access, andholds a busy state on the SD host bus before reading the second block,thereby forcing the enhanced function device pouching controller 210 tohold and not access the SD bus.

At step 2360 baseband modem 120 is notified that its access request wasgranted, via a dedicated interrupt line, by reading mailbox 118.Baseband modem 120 can then proceed to access SD storage 115. At step2370 base band modem 120 performs its operations on SD storage 115. Atstep 2380, upon completion of using SD storage 115, baseband modem 120writes a free message to pouching controller 110. Finally, at step 2390pouching controller 110 removes the busy state from the SD host bus.

Generally there is a timeout of 250 msec for a busy period. As such,pouching controller 110 ensures that access to SD storage 115 is shorterthan this time.

Reference is now made to FIG. 50A, which is a simplified diagramillustrating a process of enabling a baseband modem to access SDstorage, where pouching controller 110 coordinates between the basebandmodem and enhanced function host device in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 50A is arranged as a time lineadvancing from left to right. Three types of data flow are illustratedalong the time line; namely, a logical arbitration state, communicationbetween enhanced function host device 200 and pouching controller 110,and communication between the wireless communicator's base band modem120 and pouching controller 110.

Logical arbitration involves a protocol for switching access to SDstorage 115 between baseband modem 120 and enhanced function host device200, which share SD storage 115. As described hereinabove with respectto FIG. 49, arbitration operates by means of access requests and accessgrants written to mailboxes 117 and 118.

Communication between enhanced function host device 200 and pouchingcontroller 110, and between the wireless communicator's baseband modem120 and pouching controller 110, occurs via command signals, datasignals and interrupt signals. Data blocks are followed by CRC errorchecking codes.

As shown in FIG. 50A, when the wireless communicator's baseband modem120 wants to access SD storage 115, it writes an access request messageto the wireless communicator's outgoing mailbox 117. Thereafter,pouching controller 110 issues an interrupt to enhanced function hostdevice 200, informing it that there is a message waiting in mailbox 117.Enhanced function host device 200 then reads the access request messagein mailbox 117, and writes a multi-block access grant message to thewireless communicator's incoming mailbox 118. Pouching controller 110recognizes the first block of the multi-block as an access grantmessage, and holds a busy state. Pouching controller 110 issues aninterrupt to baseband modem 120, indicating that access to SD storage115 is granted. Baseband modem 120 then accesses SD storage 115 andperforms its requisite operations. Upon completion, baseband modem 120writes a release message to pouching controller 110, which then releasesthe busy state. In turn, enhanced function host device 200 is then ableto write the second block (dummies) to the wireless communicator'sincoming mailbox 118.

Reference is now made to FIG. 50B, which is a simplified diagramillustrating a process of enabling a baseband modem to access SDstorage, where pouching controller 110 coordinates between the basebandmodem and enhanced function host device in accordance with a secondembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 50B, an accessgrant write command is not needed, and the reading of the baseband modemaccess request suffices to trigger the busy state for enhanced functionhost device 200. Whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 50A a multi-blockwrite by enhanced function host device 200 is used to generate the busystate, in the embodiment of FIG. 50B a single-block read suffices toinitiate the busy state.

Baseband modem 120 may be idle for a long period of time if no call ordata exchange is underway and there is time to wait until a nextsignaling session with a cellular network. In such case, base modem 120may drop to a sleep mode. Moreover, in order to conserve powerconsumption in sleep mode, baseband modem 120 may shut off SDRAM power,which results in losing the code image on SDRAM 166. In order to enableproper operation, baseband modem 120 maintains state parameters ininternal SRAM 163. Alternatively, or in addition, base band modem 120backs up state parameters in internal SRAM 163 prior to going to sleep.

In this regard, reference is now made to FIG. 51, which is a simplifiedflowchart of a method for a sleep mode in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. At step 2410 baseband modem 120 is idle for along period of time. At step 2420 base band modem 120 backs up stateparameters in internal SRAM 163. At step 2430 baseband modem 120 setsthe secondary boot code that was loaded to SRAM 163 at step 2240 as thecode to be executed upon resumption of power. At step 2440 basebandmodem 120 sets a timer for resumption of power, halts internalcontroller operation, and then disconnects power to external SDRAM 166.

Reference is now made to FIG. 52, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for resuming operation after a sleep mode in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. At step 2510 the timer that was setat step 2440 expires. At step 2520 power is resumed. At step 2530baseband modem 120 begins executing the secondary boot code, based onthe setup defined at step 2430. Finally, at step 2540 the secondary bootcode loads the code image into external SDRAM 166, and transfers controlthereto.

In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art willrealize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied tothe methods and systems described. In particular, components of FIG. 47that are shown integrated may be separated, and components that areshown as separated may be integrated. In this regard, reference is nowmade to FIG. 53, which is a simplified block diagram of a cellularhandset in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 53, an SD NAND controller 102 b isintegrated within pouching controller 110. In distinction, SD NANDcontroller 102 a is external to pouching controller 110 in FIG. 47.

When SD NAND controller 102 b is integrated within pouching controller110, pouching controller 110 can directly access NAND flash 115. Assuch, at step 2120 of FIG. 48, pouching controller 110 reads the bootcode image directly from NAND flash 115, without using an external NANDcontroller.

11. Power Management of the Wireless Communicator when its BatteryLapses

Embodiments of the present invention concern power management ofwireless communicator 100, so as to mitigate the problem of inability toturn on and use wireless communicator 100 even when wirelesscommunicator 100 is connected to an external power source, by graduatingpower modes via an intermediate limited use mode prior to shut downmode.

More generally, aspects of the present invention concern powermanagement for a mobile electronic device in order to preserve life of abattery, or a battery pack, within the device. The mobile device can runin standalone mode, or in an external power mode. When running instandalone mode the battery loses charge, and when running in externalpower mode the battery is re-charged by the external power source.

In order to prevent a shutdown of the device, without being able to turnthe device back on, when the charge of the battery drops below apower-on reset (POR) threshold, a lockout power mode is enabled prior tothe POR threshold being reached. The lockout power mode, referred to asa “provisional mode” and also as an “emergency mode”, enables the mobiledevice to be used only for limited actions and only for a pre-specifiedperiod of time. Thus a cellular telephone, for example, in provisionalmode, may be turned on and used only for making emergency calls. Thisenables the user of the telephone to turn on the phone and call for helpfor a limited time period after his cell phone has shut down. In anotherscenario, the cellular telephone in provisional mode may be enabled forspeed dial calls, thus enabling a child to turn on his phone and callhis parents for a limited time period after the child's cell phone hasshut down.

The present invention monitors the mobile device's battery voltage andplaces the mobile device in one of several power mode states, dependingon the battery voltage and depending on whether the mobile device isrunning on its internal battery or connected to an external powersource. The transitions between power mode states are controlled so thata user of the mobile device is able to make limited emergency-typeactions for a limited time period after the mobile device has been shutdown.

Multiple power modes for the mobile device are managed, including afully operation power mode, a non-operational (shut-down) power mode,and a provisional power mode. The provisional power mode enables thedevice to be turned on for limited emergency-type use, for a shortperiod of time. Transitions between power modes are governed byincreases and decreases in battery voltage, and by the mobile devicebeing connected to or disconnected from an external power source.

Reference is now made to FIG. 54, which is a simplified block diagram ofa power management system, for preserving life of battery 145 inwireless communicator 100 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Shown in FIG. 54 is wireless communicator 100 and itsbaseband modem 120 for transmitting and receiving digital audio signalsvia its GSM antenna 140. power amplifier 135 is used to amplify signalstransmitted by antenna 140. Wireless communicator 100 operates undercontrol of its dedicated controller 105.

Wireless communicator 100 uses its internal battery 145 for supplyingpower. In addition, wireless communicator 100 uses an external poweradapter 146, for connecting wireless communicator 100 to an externalsource such as an AC electrical socket, or to an external device, suchas a computer, which is able to supply some of its own power to wirelesscommunicator 100.

Wireless communicator 100 may operate in a standalone mode, powered bybattery 145. Alternatively, wireless communicator 100 may operate in anexternal power mode, powered by an external source. In accordance withan embodiment of the present invention, battery 145 is a re-chargeablelithium ion battery, and generally when wireless communicator 100operates in external power mode, some of the external power is used tocharge battery 145.

The voltage on battery 145, denoted by VBat, changes continuously withtime. Without being re-charged, VBat for a lithium ion battery typicallydecays according to a known discharge curve. Wireless communicator'spower manager 125 ensures that wireless communicator 100 is shut downwhen VBat falls below a reset threshold, in order to avoid damage tobattery 145 and to wireless communicator 100.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, power manager125 includes logic for a lockout mechanism that is functional whenLTOT<VBat<UTOT, for pre-defined lower and upper turn-on thresholds LTOTand UTOT, respectively, and when wireless communicator 100 is notconnected to an external power source. The lockout mechanism serves toput wireless communicator 100 into a provisional mode, also referred toas an emergency mode, in which operation of wireless communicator 100 islimited to one or more emergency functions. Emergency functions mayinclude inter alia making an emergency phone call, and making a speeddial phone call.

In an embodiment of the present invention, LTOT is a threshold belowwhich wireless communicator 100 cannot be turned on, and UTOT isslightly higher than LTOT. Sample settings are LTOT=3.2V and UTOT=3.3V.The provisional mode of the present invention enables wirelesscommunicator 100 to shut down methodically and in a controlled manner,so that it can be turned on for emergency calls after being shut down.

Power manager 125 controls wireless communicator 100 in accordance withTABLE VIII. As indicated in TABLE VIII, when VBat drops below 2.7V,referred to as a “power-on reset” (POR) threshold, then power manager125 shuts down wireless communicator 100 and prevents it from beingturned on. This to protects battery 145 from suffering permanent damage.Generally, when VBat drops below 2.7V, power manager 125 asserts a resetsignal. The reset remains asserted until a safety period after VBatrises above 2.7V.

When VBat is between 2.7V and 3.2V, then power manager 125 enableswireless communicator 100 to operate in external power mode, but not instandalone mode. The threshold of 3.2V is referred to as a “turn-on”threshold, and also referred to herein as the lower turn-on threshold(LTOT). When wireless communicator 100 is operating in standalone modeand VBat falls below 3.2V, then power manager 125 turns wirelesscommunicator 100 off, and prevents it from being turned back on untilVBat rises above 3.2V.

When VBat is above 3.2V then power manager 125 enables wirelesscommunicator 100 to operate in external power mode, and when VBat isabove 3.3V then power manager 125 enables wireless communicator 100 toalso operate in standalone mode. The threshold of 3.3V is referred toherein, as the upper turn-on threshold (UTOT).

However, when VBat is between 3.2V and 3.3V, then power manager 125limits wireless communicator 100 to operate in provisional mode. Inprovisional mode wireless communicator 100 can be turned on for apre-defined time period, such as 30 seconds, and can only be used forone or more emergency functions, such as making an emergency call.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, from the nature ofthe steep decline at the end of battery discharge curves, that raisingthe turn-on threshold for cellular telephone 200 from 2.7V to 3.3V hasnegligible impact on usage time. The drop from 3.3V to 2.7V occurs in afew minutes.

TABLE VIII Power Management Logic for Wireless Communicator BatteryVoltage (VBat) External Power Mode Standalone Mode VBat ≦ 2.7 VCommunicator cannot be turned on. During operation, if the voltage dropsbelow this threshold, then the communicator is automatically turned off.2.7 V < VBat ≦ 3.2 V Communicator cannot be turned on. During operation,communicator operates normally unless the voltage drops below PORthreshold (2.7 V) 3.2 V < VBat ≦ 3.3 V Communicator can be Communicatorcan be turned on turned on. in provisional mode. Communicator operatesAfter a pre-defined time period, normally. the communicator isautomatically turned off. VBat > 3.3 V Communicator operates normally.During operation, if the voltage drops below the upper threshold (3.3V), then the communicator is automatically turned off.

It will further be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theparameter values POR=2.7V, LTOT=3.2V and UTOT=3.3V are example values,and that other values for these parameters are within the scope of thepresent invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 55, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for preserving life of a battery in wireless communicator 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At step 2605wireless communicator 100 is turned on. At step 2610 the voltage ofwireless communicator's battery 145 is continually monitored. At step2615 a determination is made whether wireless communicator 100 isconnected to an external power source.

If wireless communicator 100 is connected to an external power source,then its internal battery 145 is being charged. At step 2620 a furtherdetermination is made whether the battery voltage is higher than a lowerturn-on threshold, denoted LTOT. If so, then at step 2625 wirelesscommunicator 100 is power controlled so as to be fully operational. Ifnot, then at step 2630 wireless communicator 100 is power controlled soas to be able to operate, but cannot be turned on after it has beenturned off.

Referring back to step 2615, if wireless communicator 100 is notconnected to an external power source, then it is running in standalonemode and being powered by its internal battery. The charge on itsinternal battery is being drained. At step 2635 a determination is madewhether the battery voltage is higher than an upper turn-on threshold,denoted UTOT. It so, then at step 2640 wireless communicator 100 ispower controlled so as to be fully operational. If not, then at step2645 a further determination is made whether the battery voltage ishigher than the lower turn-on threshold, LTOT. If not, then at step 2650wireless communicator 100 is power controlled so that it cannot beturned on.

Referring back to step 2645, if the battery voltage is higher than LTOT,then at step 2655 wireless communicator 100 is power controlled so as toturn on to operate only in a limited provisional mode, and only for apre-specified short period of time. When operating in provisional mode,only limited use of wireless communicator 100 is enabled. Generally, useof wireless communicator 100 is limited to one or more emergencyactions. An emergency action may be making an emergency phone call. Anemergency action may also be making a speed dial call. This would enablea child to call his parents, for example, if his cell phone battery runslow.

When wireless communicator 100 is operating in provisional mode, and aperson uses wireless communicator 100 to make a phone call, adetermination is made at step 2660 whether or not the call is anemergency call. If so, then the call is enabled at step 2665. If not,wireless communicator 100 is shut down at step 2670.

The voltage on wireless communicator's battery 145 continually changes.The battery's charge decreases when wireless communicator 100 isoperating in standalone mode, and the charge increases when wirelesscommunicator 100 is connected to an external power source. The flowchartof FIG. 55 continually returns to step 2610 to monitor the voltage andpower manage the telephone accordingly.

Reference is now made to FIG. 56, which is a simplified state transitiondiagram for power modes of wireless communicator 100 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 56, wirelesscommunicator 100 can be in one of four power modes; namely,

-   -   a fully operational power mode 2610, wherein wireless        communicator 100 can be turned on and operates normally;    -   a provisionally operational mode 2620, wherein wireless        communicator 100 can be turned on for a pre-specified amount of        time, such as 30 sec., and used for one or more emergency        actions;    -   a critical mode 2630, wherein wireless communicator 100 is        operational, but cannot be turned on once it is turned off; and    -   a non-operational mode 2640, wherein wireless communicator 100        is shut down and cannot be turned on.

State transitions from one power mode to another in FIG. 56 occur whenthe battery voltage, VBat, drops below or rises above one of thethresholds POR, LTOT and UTOT. Voltage drops occur when wirelesscommunicator 100 is operating in standalone mode, and the charge onbattery 145 is being drained. Voltage rises occur when wirelesscommunicator 100 is operating in external power mode, and battery 145 isbeing charged by an external power source.

State transitions in FIG. 56 also occur when wireless communicator 100is connected to or disconnected from an external power source. The statetransitions summarized in FIG. 56 are controlled by power manager 125and correspond logically to the flowchart of FIG. 55.

In reading the above description, persons skilled in the art willrealize that there are many apparent variations that can be applied tothe methods and systems described. In particular, the power managementsystem described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 54, and the powermanagement method described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 55 applyto a wide variety of other mobile electronic devices, in addition towireless communicator 100. Among the actions supported by such devices,certain actions among them are designated as being emergency actions.When the devices are placed into provisional power mode (step 2555 ofFIG. 55), only the emergency actions are enabled, and only for apre-specified period of time.

12. Wireless Communicator Memory Expansion with Direct USB Connection

Embodiments of the present invention relate to wireless communicator 100and a USB disk drive. The USB disk drive is situated within an enhancedfunction jacket, referred to herein as USB jacket 200. USB jacket 200includes a keypad, and attaches to wireless communicator 100.

When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with USB jacket 200, eachdevice enhances the other. Wireless communicator 100 is enhanced byhaving additional storage and USB connectivity, and USB jacket 200 isenhanced by have wireless communication capability. Wirelesscommunicator 100 may further enhance USB jacket 200 with additionalcapabilities including a music player and GPS location based services.

When wireless communicator 100 is pouched with USB jacket 200, thejacket's keypad 280 is used to input commands for wireless communicator100. Such commands for wireless communicator 100 include inter aliadialing a phone call, playing music, and commands for location basedapplications.

When wireless communicator 100 is not pouched with USB jacket 200, thejacket's keypad 280 may be used to input commands for the USB diskdrive. Such commands for the USB disk drive include inter alia lockingand unlocking the USB disk drive using a password.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 57A and 57B, which are illustrations ofwireless communicator 100 pouched with USB jacket 200 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention. USB jacket 200 has a storage andfunctions as a USB disk drive. USB jacket 200 has a USB connector 255and, as such, USB jacket 200 is readily plugged into a personalcomputer, or such other device having a USB receptacle.

USB connector 255 is mechanically fastened so that it slides into USBjacket 200. USB jacket 200 includes a strap 289 which, when pulled,causes USB connector 255 to slide back out.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when wirelesscommunicator 100 is pouched with USB jacket 200, USB jacket 200 enhancesthe capabilities of wireless communicator 100 by providing inter aliaadditional storage and USB connectivity. Similarly, wirelesscommunicator 100 enhances USB jacket 200 with wireless communication,and may further enhance USB jacket 200 with GPS location based services,speaker capability, and headset support.

The USB jacket's keyboard 280 has dual functionality. When wirelesscommunicator 100 is not pouched with USB jacket 200, keyboard 280 isused to operate USB jacket 200. For example, keyboard 280 may be used tolock the storage of USB jacket 200 using a password; i.e., the diskdrive of USB jacket 200 may be locked and unlocked by entering apassword using keyboard 280. When wireless communicator 100 is pouchedwith USB jacket 200, then keyboard 280 is used to operate wirelesscommunicator 100.

Reference is now made to FIG. 58, which is a simplified block diagram ofwireless communicator 100 and USB jacket 200 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Wireless communicator 100 is shownin FIG. 58 with six primary components; namely, pouching controller 110,storage 115, modem 120, power management subsystem 125, power amplifier135 and pouch connector 160. Wireless communicator 100 is shown withfour optional components; namely, audio subsystem 130, keyboard 180,display 185 and SIM 190.

USB jacket 200 is shown in FIG. 58 with six primary components; namely,storage controller 205, pouching controller 210, storage 215, USBconnector 255, pouch connector 260 and keyboard 280. USB jacket 200 isshown with an optional USB hub 257 and optional display 285.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 58, keyboard 280 is connected to storagecontroller 205, which interprets the keyboard scan codes. Storagecontroller 205 mediates between keyboard 280 and a USB connected device,such as a personal computer, connected to USB connector 255.

In general, a USB hub allows many USB devices to be connected to asingle USB port. USB hub 257 is connected via a USB line to modem 120 orto pouching controller 110 of wireless communicator 100, or to both ofthem. USB hub 257 enables a device connected to USB connector 255 toaccess both storage 215 and storage 115.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 58, access to storage 115 is made viaUSB hub 257, without passing through pouching controller 210.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 58, keyboard 280 is connected to storagecontroller 205 and pouching controller 210. When wireless communicator100 is pouched with USB jacket 200, pouching controller 210 scans thematrix keyboard for keyboard 280, and passes the scan-code to wirelesscommunicator 100. To avoid ambiguity, only pouching controller 210initiates the matrix keyboard scanning.

Reference is now made to FIG. 59, which is a simplified block diagram ofwireless communicator 100 and USB jacket 200, in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention. The USB jacket shown in FIG.57 includes pouching controller 210, USB connector 255, pouch connector260 and keyboard 280.

In addition, the USB jacket in FIG. 59 includes a micro-SD card 296, asingle-pole double-throw (SPDT) switch 292, and a USB2SD bridge 293between USB to SD. The AU6336 SD/MMC card reader controller manufacturedby Alcor Micro, Corp. of Taiwan, may be used for USB2SD bridge 293.Micro-SD card 296 includes a controller 297 and a storage 298. It isnoted that in distinction, the jacket controller and storage areseparate components in the embodiment shown in FIG. 58. SPDT switch 292is controlled by pouching controller 210, and enables connection of USBjacket 200 with wireless communicator 100 directly via modem 120 or viapouching controller 110. A proprietary command over the USB channel,such as an SCSI transparent method, instructs pouching controller 210 tochanges the state of SPDT 292.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that The system ofFIG. 9 enables a USB host device that is connected to USB Jacket 200 viaUSB interface 255 to directly access storage 298, by translating the USBprotocol into the SD protocol, and routing through pouching controller210, or to indirectly access storage 115.

Pouching controller 210 dynamically routes access to appropriate storage115 or 298 to the USB host device. Pouching controller 210 introducesthe USB host device to both storage 115 and 298, as a combined storagearea or as two separate storage areas.

13. Modular Audio Player that Pouches with a Host Media Player

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a modular audio player,referred to herein as the “modular player”, that may be pouched with adigital media player, referred to herein as the “host” or the “hostplayer”, such as an MP3 player that may be pouched with an MP3/MP4player. Both players have memories for storing digital files, and thehost's controller or the modular audio player's controller, or bothcontrollers, are able to automatically or manually synchronize filesstored in the two memories.

The host player has its own battery, its own non-volatile memory forstoring media files, and its own controller. The host player generallyincludes a display, and includes user interface controls to organize,select, play and view metadata for songs or video files.

The modular player may be hosted by the host player when pouchedtherewith. The modular player is also a standalone audio player, butwith limited features in comparison to the host player. The modularplayer includes its own battery sub-system, its own removablenon-volatile memory for storing digital audio files, and its owncontroller. The modular player also includes a wireless modem, includinginter alia a cellular modem, a WLAN modem or a WiMax modem, whichenables download of digital media files from remote sources. The modularplayer generally does not have its own display, and generally has alimited user interface to play a song, to advance to a next song, and toreturn to the beginning of a song.

The modular player is used in circumstances where it is convenient for auser to handle a small player. When a user is jogging, for example, itis easier for him to carry a small player.

The media files played by either player may be obtained via the host'sconnection to remote media sources, via physical USB or SD connection,or via wireless connection. The media files may also be obtained via themodular player's wireless modem connection. Media files obtained via themodular player's wireless modem may be transferred to the host player.As such, the modular player may be used to download files intended forthe host player, such as video files, which generally cannot be playedon the modular player.

In one embodiment of the present invention the host controllersynchronizes the media files stored on the host player and the modularplayer. In another embodiment of the present invention, the modularplayer's controller synchronizes the media files stored on the hostplayer and the modular player. Synchronization of media files is basedprimarily on the media formats that each player supports. Generally, themodular player supports only audio formats, such as MP3 formats, wherethe host player supports also video formats, such as MP4 formats. Assuch, when the two players interact to synchronize their respectivememories, only files supported by each player are stored in the player.

Additionally, synchronization is governed by user preferences. Forexample, a user may specify that those songs which are most often playedor most recently played, or which have high rankings, are to be sharedon both players.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 60A and 60B, which are simplified blockdiagrams of a modular audio player pouched with a digital media playerin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Shown inFIGS. 60A and 60B are a host media player 200 c and a modular audioplayer 100. Modular audio player 100 can be pouched with host mediaplayer 200 c. Modular audio player 100 slides in and out of host mediaplayer 200 c along tracks 261 c. Host media player 200 c and modularaudio player 100 are operative to play songs stored in digital audiofiles. Host player 200 c is also operative to play video files.

Host media player 200 c includes a player module 230 c. Host player 200c also includes a storage unit 215 c, which is generally HD or flashmemory, for storing digital media files. Host media player 200 c alsoincludes a battery subsystem 225 c for powering player module 230 c.

Modular audio player 100 includes a player module 130. Modular audioplayer 130 also includes a storage unit 115, which is generally abuilt-in flash memory such as NAND flash or a detachable memory cardsuch as an SD card, or both, for storing digital audio files.

Modular audio player 100 is powered by a battery subsystem 125 thatincludes a small removable battery. Battery subsystem 125 is charged bybattery subsystem 225 c, when modular audio player 100 is pouched withhost player 200 c. When modular audio player 100 is not pouched withhost player 200 c, it is powered by battery subsystem 125, until thestored charge in battery subsystem 125 is exhausted. Battery subsystem125 may also be charged from an external power source, via a charger, orvia a USB connection.

Pouch connectors 160 and 260 c are used to transfer data and powerbetween host media player 200 c and modular audio player 110.

Incoming data may be transferred to host media player 200 c via anexternal connector 255 c, such as a USB port or an SD connector, orboth. Host media player 200 c may optionally include a wireless modem220 c, through which data is received from remote sources.

Modular audio player 100 includes a wireless modem 120 c, which isgenerally a cellular modem.

Host player 200 c includes pouch controller 210 c, and removable audioplayer 100 includes pouch controller 110. Controllers 110 and 210 areoperative to store incoming digital files on either or both of hostmemory 215 c and removable player memory 115, automatically or manuallyas instructed by a user. Synchronization of files between the host mediaplayer 200 c and modular audio player 100 is described hereinbelow withrespect to FIGS. 61 and 62.

Host media player 200 c is large enough to include a display 285 c, fordisplaying command menus and song metadata to a user, and for displayingvideos. Host media player 200 c also includes user interface controls270 c, for organizing, playing and selecting media files. User interfacecontrols 270 c also enable a user to manage files stored in host memory215 c and removable player memory 115. User interface controls 270 cenable a user to select to which or both of memories 115 and 215 cincoming files are to be saved. User interface controls 270 c alsoenable a user to add and delete files from memories 115 and 215 c, andto copy media files from one memory to another.

As distinct from host media player 200 c, modular audio player 100 maynot have a display at all, or may have a simple LCD display 185. Modularaudio player 100 includes limited user interface controls 170 includinga small keyboard 180. Keyboard 180 enables a user to perform basicfunctions, including inter alia playing a song, advancing to a nextsong, and returning to the beginning of a song.

Host media player 200 c may or may not be operative to play media whenmodular player 100 is not pouched therewith.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that theconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 60A and 60B is but one of manypossible implementations of the present invention, and that the variouscomponents in FIGS. 60A and 60B may be positioned and inter-connecteddifferently than the specific configuration illustrated in FIGS. 60A and60B, within the scope of the present invention.

Reference is now made to FIG. 61, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for synchronizing media files between host media player 200 c andmodular audio player 100, when the media files are received by modularaudio player 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. At step 2805 new media files are downloaded via cellularwireless modem 120 of modular audio player 100. At step 2810 the filesare stored in a temporary allocated memory of storage 115, and marked asnew files. The new files are classified as being audio files or otherfiles.

At step 2815 a determination is made whether or not modular audio player100 is currently pouched with host media player 200 c. If so, then atstep 2820 a determination is made whether there are more new files toprocess. If so, then at step 2825 processing advances to the next newfile. At step 2830 a message is sent to host media player 200 c,indicating that there is a media update. At step 2835 a determination ismade whether the new file currently being processed is an audio file. Ifso, then at step 2840 a duplicate copy of the file is written to storage215 c of host media player 200 c. Processing then advances to step 2820,to process the next file. If all of the new files have already beenprocessed, then the synchronization ends. If the new file currentlybeing processed is not an audio file, as determined at step 2835, thenat step 2845 the file is copied to storage 215 c of host media player200 c, and at step 2850 the new files is erased from storage 115.Processing then advances to step 2820.

If modular audio player 100 is not currently pouched with host mediaplayer 200 c, as determined at step 2715, then at step 2855 adetermination is made whether there are more new files to process. Ifso, then at step 2860 processing advances to the next new file. At step2865 a determination is made whether the new file currently beingprocessed is an audio file. If not, then at step 2870 a determination ismade, generally based on user preferences, whether or not to erase thenew file from storage 115 or else to keep the new file in storage 115until modular player 100 is subsequently attached to host player 200 c.If so, then at step 2875 the new file is erased. Otherwise, at step 2880no operation is required. Processing then advances to step 2855, toprocess the next file. If the new file currently being processed is anaudio file, as determined at step 2865, then at step 2880 no operationis required. When modular audio player 100 is subsequently attached tohost media player 200 c, the new audio files in storage 115 may betransferred to host storage 215 c. Processing then advances to step2855.

Reference is now made to FIG. 62, which is a simplified flowchart of amethod for synchronizing media files between host media player 200 c andmodular audio player 100, when the media files are received by hostplayer 200 c in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.At step 2905 new media files are received by host media player 200 c,via wireless modem 220 c or external connector 255 c. At step 2910 thefiles are stored in host memory 215 c and marked as new files. The newfiles are classified as being audio files or other files.

At step 2915 a determination is made whether modular audio player 100 iscurrently pouched with host media player 200 c. If so, then at step 2920a determination is made whether there are more new media files toprocess. If so, processing advances to the next new media file at step2925. At step 2930 a determination is made whether the new media filecurrently being processed is an audio file. If so, then at step 2935 thenew file is copied to storage 115. Processing then advances to step2920, to process the next new file. If all of the new files have beenprocessed, then the synchronization ends. If the new file currentlybeing processed is not an audio file, as determined at step 2930, thenprocessing advances directly to step 2920.

If modular audio player 100 is not currently pouched with host mediaplayer 200 c, as determined at step 2915, then at step 2940 no operationis required, and the new files may be transferred to modular audioplayer 100 when it is subsequently pouched with host media player 200 c.The synchronization then ends.

Reference is now made to FIG. 63, which is a simplified flowchart ofoperations carried out when modular audio player 100 is pouched withhost media player 200 c in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. At step 3005 modular audio player 100 is pouched with hostmedia player 200 c. When the two players are pouched, host player 200 creceives a corresponding interrupt, and is thus informed of the pouchingat step 3010. Such interrupt may be implemented as an SDIO interrupt onthe SD bus, or via a dedicated signal.

At step 3020, memories 115 and 215 c are searched and a determination ismade whether there are new media files in one or both of the memories.If so, then the host player are modular player are synchronized inaccordance with FIGS. 61 and 62. Specifically, steps 2820-2850 areperformed to copy new files from memory 115 to memory 215 c, and steps2920-2935 are performed to copy new files from memory 215 c to memory115.

Processing then proceeds to step 3025, whereat the players aresynchronized according to predefined user preferences. User preferencesmay indicate, for example, that all audio files are synchronized,subject to memory availability; or that audio files most often or morefrequently listened to are synchronized, subject to memory availability;or that audio files with high user ratings are synchronized, subject tomemory availability.

If there are no new media files in memories 115 and 215 c, as determinedat step 3020, the processing proceeds directly to step 3025. After step3025, the synchronization ends.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to thespecific exemplary embodiments without departing from the broader spiritand scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1.-92. (canceled)
 93. A wireless communicator comprising: a housing;wireless communication functionality located within said housing andincluding a phone call dialing functionality; native user interfacefunctionality cooperating with said wireless communication functionalityand including user interface surfaces located on at least one outerfacing surface of said housing; and pouching responsive electricalinterconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of saidhousing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for causing saidwireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating withparenting user interface functionality forming part of said enhancedfunction device at least partially instead of with said native userinterface functionality.
 94. A wireless communicator according to claim93 and wherein said pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality automatically causes said wireless communicationfunctionality to adapt to cooperating with said parenting user interfacefunctionality when said housing is oriented in the pouch of saidenhanced function device.
 95. A wireless communicator according to claim93 and wherein said pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality includes alien rejection functionality operative toprevent cooperation of said wireless communication functionality withuser interface functionality of an alien enhanced function devicenotwithstanding existence of pouching orientation of said housing in apouch of said alien enhanced function device.
 96. A wirelesscommunicator according to claim 93 and wherein said adaptation tointeroperation comprises: transmission from said enhanced functiondevice to said wireless communicator of information relating toparenting user interface functionality forming part of said enhancedfunction device; and configuration of said wireless communicationfunctionality to be controlled by said parenting user interfacefunctionality forming part of said enhanced function device at leastpartially instead of by said native user interface functionality.
 97. Awireless communicator according to claim 96 and wherein said pouchingresponsive electrical interconnection functionality causes said wirelesscommunicator to transmit user interface data from said wirelesscommunicator to said enhanced function device in conformance with saidinformation relating to parenting user interface functionality.
 98. Awireless communicator according to claim 93 and wherein said pouchingresponsive electrical interconnection functionality expandsfunctionality of said wireless communicator, in addition to causing saidwireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating withparenting user interface functionality forming part of said enhancedfunction device at least partially instead of with said native userinterface functionality.
 99. A wireless communicator according to claim98 and wherein said pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality expands functionality of said wireless communicator byenabling access to functionality of the wireless communicator that isinaccessible to said wireless communicator when said wirelesscommunicator is not pouched with said enhanced function device.
 100. Awireless communicator according to claim 93 wherein said enhancedfunction device provisions software to said wireless communicator whensaid wireless communicator is pouched with said enhanced functiondevice.
 101. A wireless communicator according to claim 93 and whereinsaid enhanced function device includes a subscriber identifier module,which enables wireless network connectivity that is inaccessible to saidwireless communicator when said wireless communicator is not pouchedwith said enhanced function device.
 102. A wireless communicatoraccording to claim 93 and wherein said housing comprises an at leastpartially transparent portion in an outer facing surface, wherein saidwireless communicator further comprises a light source fastened insideof said housing, wherein said light source indicates when said wirelesscommunicator is sufficiently pouched with said enhanced function deviceso as to activate said pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality, and wherein the light of said light source shines throughsaid at least partially transparent portion of said housing.
 103. Awireless communicator according to claim 102 and wherein said lightsource indicates at least one of: (i) a state of said wirelesscommunicator, (ii) a battery status of said wireless communicator, (iii)a reception strength of said wireless communicator, (iv) an operationalmode of said wireless communication functionality, (v) when saidwireless communicator is in an audio conversation operational mode, (vi)when said wireless communicator is in a video conversation mode, (vii)when said wireless communicator has received a new text message, (viii)when said wireless communicator has sent a new text message, (ix) whensaid wireless communicator has an incoming phone call, (x) a status ofsaid enhanced function device, and (xi) an operational mode of saidenhanced function device.
 104. A wireless communicator according toclaim 93 and wherein said native user interface functionality comprisesat least one of the group consisting of a keyboard, a display, amicrophone, an earpiece, a headset port, a speaker and a vibrator. 105.A wireless communicator according to claim 93 and wherein said pouchingresponsive electrical interconnection functionality responsive topouching orientation of said housing in said pouch of said enhancedfunction device restricts said wireless communication functionality fromusing at least a portion of said native user interface functionality.106. A wireless communicator according to claim 105 and wherein saidpouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality responsiveto pouching orientation of said housing in said pouch of said enhancedfunction device restricts said dialing functionality.
 107. An enhancedfunction device for use with a wireless communicator comprising ahousing, wireless communication functionality located within saidhousing and native user interface functionality cooperating with saidwireless communication functionality, said enhanced function devicecomprising: a pouch; parenting user interface functionality; andpouching responsive electrical interconnection functionality responsiveto pouching orientation of said housing of said wireless communicator insaid pouch for causing said wireless communication functionality toadapt to cooperating with said parenting user interface functionality atleast partially instead of with said native user interfacefunctionality.
 108. An enhanced function device according to claim 107and wherein said pouching responsive electrical interconnectionfunctionality automatically causes said wireless communicationfunctionality to adapt to cooperating with said parenting user interfacefunctionality when said housing is oriented in the pouch of saidenhanced function device.
 109. An enhanced function device according toclaim 107 and wherein said pouching responsive electricalinterconnection functionality includes alien rejection functionalityoperative to prevent cooperation of an alien wireless communicator withsaid parenting user interface functionality of said enhanced functiondevice notwithstanding existence of pouching orientation of the alienwireless communicator in said pouch.
 110. An enhanced function deviceaccording to claim 107 and wherein said enhanced function device is notable to operate unless said wireless communicator is pouched therewith.111. An enhanced function device according to claim 107 and furthercomprising: a non-volatile storage positioned within said housing, forstoring information relating to parenting user interface functionality;and a controller positioned within said housing for transmitting fromsaid enhanced function device to said wireless communicator saidinformation relating to parenting user interface functionality, whensaid wireless communicator is pouched with said enhanced functiondevice.
 112. A wireless communication system comprising: a wirelesscommunicator, comprising: a housing; wireless communicationfunctionality located within said housing; native user interfacefunctionality cooperating with said wireless communication functionalityand including user interface surfaces located on at least one outerfacing surface of said housing; and pouching responsive electricalinterconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of saidhousing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for causing saidwireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating withparenting user interface functionality forming part of said enhancedfunction device at least partially instead of with said native userinterface functionality; and an enhanced function device, comprising: apouch; parenting user interface functionality comprising functionalityfor navigating and playing digital media files stored in said wirelesscommunicator storage unit; and pouching responsive electricalinterconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of saidhousing of said wireless communicator in said pouch for causing saidwireless communication functionality to adapt to cooperating with saidparenting user interface functionality at least partially instead ofwith said native user interface functionality.
 113. A wirelesscommunicator system according to claim 112 and wherein said wirelesscommunication functionality includes a phone call dialing functionality.114. A method for a pouchable wireless communicator, the wirelesscommunicator having a native user interface, comprising in response toorienting the wireless communicator in a pouch of an enhanced functiondevice, adapting said wireless communicator to conform with a parentuser interface forming part of said enhanced function device at leastpartially instead of with said native user interface.
 115. A methodaccording to claim 114 and further comprising preventing said wirelesscommunicator from adapting to conform with an alien enhanced functiondevice, notwithstanding the wireless communicator being oriented in apouched of said alien enhanced function device.
 116. A method accordingto claim 114 and wherein said adapting said wireless communicator toconform with a parent user interface comprises restricting said wirelesscommunicator from using at least a portion of its native user interface.117. A method according to claim 114 and further comprising wirelesslytransmitting, by said wireless communicator, a report about saidenhanced function device to a remote recipient.
 118. A wirelesscommunication system comprising: a plurality of wireless communicators,each wireless communicator comprising: a housing; wireless communicationfunctionality located within said housing; native user interfacefunctionality cooperating with said wireless communication functionalityand including user interface surfaces located on at least one outerfacing surface of said housing; and pouching responsive electricalinterconnection functionality responsive to pouching orientation of saidhousing in a pouch of an enhanced function device for automaticallycausing said wireless communication functionality to adapt tointeroperation with parenting user interface functionality forming partof said enhanced function device at least partially instead of with saidnative user interface functionality; and a plurality of distinguishableenhanced function devices, each enhanced function device comprising: apouch; parenting user interface functionality; and pouching responsiveelectrical interconnection functionality responsive to pouchingorientation of said housing of said wireless communicator in said pouchfor automatically causing said wireless communication functionality toadapt to interoperation with said parenting user interface functionalityat least partially instead of with said native user interfacefunctionality, wherein said plurality of wireless communicator pouchingresponsive electrical interconnection functionalities and said pluralityof enhanced function device pouching responsive electricalinterconnection functionalities enable each wireless communicator toidentify which of said plurality of distinguishable enhanced functiondevices it is pouched in.
 119. A wireless communication system accordingto claim 118 and wherein said wireless communication functionalitywirelessly transmits to a remote recipient a report about an enhancedfunction device, when said wireless communicator identifies saidenhanced function device as being pouched therewith.